Thibaut Courtois comes up big to win his 1st Champions League title

Real Mrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Thibaut Courtois that he would take him to Champions League final, n he would have to win it.

goalkeeper did just that, with amazing save after amazing save to help Spanish club win its record-extending 14th European title on Saturday.

re was a spectacular touch with his fingertips to push ball onto post. n a difficult block with his left leg to close a gap. And a superb close-range deflection with his right arm to avoid what appeared to be a sure goal.

With nine saves in total, Courtois was crucial as Mrid defeated Liverpool 1-0 in suburban Paris, securing his first Champions League trophy.

“body was going to take my desire to win Champions League away from me today,” said Courtois, who was named man of match. “I was going to do whatever it would take to win it.”

first-half save off Sio Mane’s shot from inside area was impressive, deflecting it to post and n quickly recovering to cover ball. one with his leg to keep Mohamed Salah from scoring from a tough angle also looked difficult. But one that left everyone in awe came when he stopped Salah’s close range-range shot with a fast reaction to extend his right arm and send ball wide in 81st minute.

Courtois said he thought his best save was one off Mane’s shot.

“I really h to stretch for it and got eugh on it to put it onto post and kw where ball was going to rebound,” 30-year-old Courtois said. “It’s been incredible. I can’t believe it.”

Ancelotti said after match that he h a deal with goalkeeper.

“I told Courtois that I would get him to final, but he would have to go and win it, and that's what he has done,” said Ancelotti, who won a record fourth European trophy.

Courtois joined Mrid from Chelsea after Spanish club went on a run of three straight titles in European club competition from 2016-18. Before that, he used to play for Atlético Mrid, which lost 2014 Champions League final to Mrid with him in goal.

“Courtois has h a spectacular season,” Mrid President Florenti Pérez said. “For me, he is best goalkeeper in world and that’s why we brought him here.”

Belgian goalkeeper finished with 61 saves in 13 Champions League matches in what is believed to be a record in competition.

“He was unbelievable,” Mrid striker Karim Benzema said. “He me three or four saves that gave us title. That’s all re is to it. Congratulations to him because he’s been immense all year and he showed it once again.”