Liverpool and Spurs didn't provide much drama or excitement in the Champions League final and there wasn't even cause for the referee to brand even a yellow card as the two teams broke a record.
The idea of an all English Champions League final excited many football fans in the country but in the end much of Saturday night's game between Liverpool and Spurs was a bit of a damp squib.
After the excitement that the two clubs had provided throughout their European campaigns, and especially in the second legs of their respective semi finals, most people were expecting fireworks in Madrid.
The first minute of the match suggested that might be the case as Liverpool won a controversial penalty thanks to Moussa Sissoko outstretched arm and Mo Salah made it 1-0.
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However between that second minute goal and Divock Origi's 87th minute strike, which decided the tie in the Reds' favour, not much else really happened.
There was little incident in front of goal, especially in the first half, and absolutely nothing for the referee to do.
The man in black's only contribution was to award the penalty, confirmed by VAR, as the two clubs broke the record for the first Champions League final without a card:
It proved how little incident there was in the game and other than the penalty the only possible booking that instantly springs to mind was Trent Alexander Arnold's challenge on Danny Rose in the second half, which didn't even result in a free kick.
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Spurs lack of chances or menacing counter attacks, mixed with Liverpool's general lack of ambition, was proved by the Reds not needing to bring down any opposition players to stop any attacks from developing.
That really will be a damning indictment of the game but Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool won't care as they didn't need to threaten the Spurs' goal as often as they might have.
From the moment Salah put them ahead it was their game to control and the north London side didn't show enough invention or brilliance in the final third.
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The penalty was controversial because the ball seemed to strike Sissoko's chest before going onto his arm but the consistency with other Champions League incidents suggests the ref was right.
Spurs had been on the wrong end of another controversial incident of that ilk in their quarter final first leg and Manchester United had also been awarded a penalty in their last 16 game against PSG.
In the end the referee and Liverpool will be glad it was a very quiet night after the first minute.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Spurs, Liverpool, Football News, Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspurs, Premier League, champions league final, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League
