Mohamed Salah scored for Liverpool as the Merseyside club won the Uefa Champions League on Saturday night with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the final in Madrid. His second-minute penalty gave Liverpool the perfect start as they claimed their sixth European Cup at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Substitute Divock Origi added a second in the closing stages to seal another famous night of European success for Liverpool. Read analysis, blow by blow news and fan reaction here. <strong>All times UTC+4</strong> <strong>_______________</strong> FC Barcelona congratulated Liverpool on their win, posting a photo of Mohamed Salah shaking Messi's hand. Liverpool launched a remarkable comeback in the semi-final to book their place in Madrid. <strong>_______________</strong> It didn't prove to be an instant classic like the semi-final was, but for Liverpool, the victory was just as sweet. Two goals, one within the first two minutes and the second right at the back-end of the game won them the title, sealing their sixth European Cup title. Read <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/mohamed-salah-and-divock-origi-the-heroes-as-liverpool-win-the-champions-league-1.869052">the full report here</a>. <strong>_______________</strong> Divock Origi seals it for Liverpool. Fires home to break Tottenham's hearts. <strong>_______________</strong> Tottenham stepping it up. Lucas Moura draws a save from Alisson. Liverpool under real pressure for the first time. <strong>_______________</strong> Second substitution for Tottenham. Moussa Sissoko off and Eric Dier is on. Sissoko had a knock so this is not some attacking masterplan from Pochettino, who remains calm on the touchline. Dele Alli heads over from close range. Tottenham are getting half chances but time is running out to deny Liverpool with 10 minutes remaining. <strong>_______________</strong> Milner is inches away from doubling Liverpool's lead. Good work from Sadio Mane and that is a let-off for Tottenham. Tottenham still yet to have a shot on target, although Liverpool has only had two. <strong>_______________</strong> Interesting Liverpool, despite leading, makes the first changes. James Milner now on as well as the English midfielder comes on for Georginio Wijnaldum. Jurgen Klopp is being proactive. Now it is fascinating to see how Tottenham react themselves personnel-wise. <strong>______________</strong> Divock Origi on for Liverpool. Roberto Firmino lasted an hour and did well, but clearly lacking match fitness. Tottenham will be well aware of Origi's threat, after his vital goals against Newcastle and Barcelona, and he will cause Spurs real problems. <strong>_______________</strong> Game beginning to open up. Mohammed Salah goes close with an effort that is well blocked by Vertonghen, while at the other end Dele Alli finds space but his shot is intercepted by Trent Alexander-Arnold. <strong>_______________</strong> So, what do Tottenham do in the second half? It would be a surprise if Pochettino does anything too radical, given it is only 1-0. But semi-final hero Lucas Moura will surely come on sooner rather than later. He scored at Anfield earlier this season and will be a threat. <strong>_______________</strong> In Cairo, fans of Epytian hero Mohammed Salah swarmed to shisha bars and cafes to watch the game, <em>Adham Youssef</em> reports. In the upper working class neighborhood of Imbaba fans rushed to reserve tables, overwhelming the staff. "First ten minutes and we ran out of Shisha," Hamda, a waiter in the cafe said. " In Ramadan, people usually start to come down starting at 9pm. Today they all came starting 8. It's a full house." Fans in the cafe remain in good spirits, despite the heaving restaurant. "We had our iftar in the cafe to reserve seats. We got our food and water and sat down to watch Salah our son," Mohammed Awad, a computer engineer told <em>The National</em>. "Liverpool have to secure a second goal so the second half becomes easier." But celebrations, when the referee called a penalty for Liverpool in the first minute, caused worshipers in a nearby mosque to complain. Fans put the worshippers' fears at ease, assuring them they will be quiet and asking them to "pray for Abu Mekka [Salah]." <strong>_______________</strong> Half time. 1-0 Liverpool. Mohamed Salah's penalty the difference maker. Not a thriller by any means. Things should pick up in the second half as Tottenham are going to have to change things up. They have had their moments but Alisson has been largely untested in the Liverpool goal. <strong>_______________</strong> Liverpool finishing the first half strongly. Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah goes close with efforts as Jurgen Klopp's side have a series of corners. Vital for Tottenham they do not concede a second here. <strong>_______________</strong> The big question before the game was would Tottenham play Harry Kane from the start. The question now is was that a mistake? Kane has been very quiet and has not been a factor at all. This is a surprise giving his hard-working endeavor and he needs to get into the game to get Tottenham back in this final. Andrew Robertson forces Hugo Lloris into a save as Liverpool push forward. It gets worse for Tottenham. Jan Vertonghen appears to have hurt his left elbow after colliding with Georginio Wijnaldium. He appears in some pain but looks as if he will play on, at least for now. Five minutes until half time. <strong>_______________</strong> Historic night for Egypt this of course. Mohamed Salah's goal makes him the first Egyptian to score in a European Cup final. Thirty minutes in and if anything the early penalty has disrupted the game. Tottenham were shocked for a little while after going behind, while Liverpool have not really kicked into gear themselves. Liverpool will be the more content, leading 1-0, but Tottenham are not out of this by any stretch of the imagination. <strong>_______________</strong> This picture will make difficult viewing for Spurs fans. Keeper Hugo Lloris is just inches away from denying Mohammed Salah's goal. Unfortunately for them, he did not. Score still 1-0 to Liverpool. <strong>_______________</strong> Trent Alexander-Arnold goes close from distance for Liverpool. If it had been on target would have troubled Hugo Lloris. One down is not the end of the world, yet, for Tottenham, but going two down would be a real headache for Mauricio Pochettino. Tottenham have come from behind in this tournament before, but this might be their biggest challenge yet. <strong>_______________</strong> You have to go back to 2014 for the last time that the side who scored the opening goal in the Uefa Champions League final did not go on to win the game. That side was Atletico Madrid, whose stadium is hosting tonight's game. <strong>_______________</strong> After hours on tarmac, rushed through passport control, and a police escort, fans on a delayed flight from London have made it to the stadium – although unfortunately not to the scene they wanted. <strong>_______________</strong> Awful start for Tottenham. The one thing they did not want was to give Liverpool the early ascendancy. They have shown some intent since going behind but it could be a tough evening for the London club. What a start for Mohamed Salah. Last year's final ended in tears and agony. Already on the scoresheet this time around. It took just 22 seconds for Tottenham's night to go south. The handball decision against Moussa Sissoko was tough, but the decision was upheld by VAR. <strong>_______________</strong> Anyone who watches football Twitter will know there exists only one great rivalry. That of businessman Lord Alan Sugar – a Spurs fan and former owner of the club – and journalist Piers Morgan – an Arsenal fan. If you'd like to see two grown men bickering, this is where to look. <strong>_______________</strong> Unbelievable start for Liverpool as Mohamed Salah scores a penalty in the second minute. <strong>_______________</strong> The players are on the pitch ahead of the game and ready to start the match. First, they are holding a minute silence in memory of Jose Antonio Reyes who died in a car crash, his club, Sevilla FC announced on Saturday. <strong>_______________</strong> It is a cup final and anything goes over 90 minutes, or even 120. But Liverpool do have a mental advantage thanks to winning both Premier League games with Tottenham Hotspur this season. Liverpool were 2-1 victors back in September at Wembley in a game that was more one-sided then the scoreline shows. It was the same result in March at Anfield, but Liverpool needed an injury-time own goal to win it, with Tottenham much improved. Tottenham hope they can beat Liverpool tonight. Liverpool know they can beat Tottenham. It adds an interesting dynamic to things for sure. <strong>_______________</strong> Fans heading to the Champions League final faced an agonizing wait at London's Stanstead Airport, waiting hours on the tarmac before taking off. But, landing with fewer than 30 minutes to go before the game starts, the fans have been rushed through security and are receiving a police escort to the stadium. The mad rush was captured by BBC Sport's Ben Gallop who tweeted nervously about his ordeal. Here's an abridged version of how the stressful event unfolded: We'll let you know if they make it. <strong>_______________</strong> The warm-up has begun in Madrid and both teams look ready to seize the title. Less than 30 minutes until kick off. <strong>_______________</strong> It is Harry Kane's first game for nearly two months, it is the most important of the season, and you can see it written across his face. Headphones in, Kane strides into the Madrid stadium, ready to get to work. What are you listening to Harry? <strong>_______________</strong> Spare a thought for Liverpool's Origi and Tottenham's Lucas. Origi scored two of Liverpool's four goals in their sensational win over Barcelona to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit. Lucas bagged a second-half hat-trick as Tottenham came from three goals down on aggregate to beat Ajax 3-3 on aggregate. Yet both are on the bench for the final. Origi losing out to Roberto Firmino and Lucas replaced by Harry Kane. Both will likely feature on the pitch at some point and it would not be a shock if one of them still had another heroic moment to offer their side. <strong>_______________</strong> If tonight's match was a battle for stadium entry fashion, Tottenham Hotspur would have won 6-0. The Spurs turned up in all blue suits and shirts, looking extremely smart as they entered the Estadio Metropolitano ... while Liverpool did not look quite as smart. Fortunately for Liverpool, tonight's game is judged on how many goals you can score, and it might yield dividends to focus on the strength of your kick, not the stiffness of your collar. <strong>_______________</strong> If London's Mayor won't support the city's team, at least the club's local MP will. MP for Tottenham David Lammy said he is on the way to the stadium with his family – and more nervous than on election night. <strong>_______________</strong> Big news for Tottenham is Harry Kane does start. Risk by Mauricio Pochettino given Kane has not played since April 9 when he hurt his ankle against Manchester City. He comes in for Lucas Moura, the man whose hat-trick in the semi-final against Ajax got them them to the final. Harry Winks has also passed a fitness test and he takes his place in midfield. <strong>_______________</strong> Liverpool team is out and no real surprises. Roberto Firmino is back in the line-up and he replaces Divock Origi in attack. Origi was the hero in the semi-final against Barcelona with two goals, but Jurgen Klopp returns to his tried and tested front three of Firmino alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The rest of the XI is as expected with Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho the trio in midfield <strong>_______________</strong> Let's be honest most of us did not expect the Uefa Champions League final to be contested between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. But it has happened and that is what we will watch at 11pm when the action in Madrid starts. Another thing people would not have been anticipating is having Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger sat next to each other in a TV studio. Not only that but smiling and looking relaxed in each other's company. Given just how hostile their rivalry as managers was when Mourinho was leading Chelsea and Wenger was in charge of Arsenal this is a remarkable turn of events. Both men are pundits for the beIN Sports coverage of the final. <strong>_______________</strong> <strong>_______________</strong> The official Spurs account posted a video inside their dressing room before the game. A couple of questions on our end: <strong>_______________</strong> <strong>_______________</strong> If you thought the Mayor of London would support the team from London in this game, then you'd be wrong. Sadiq Khan tweeted just before the game that although he'd love a London team to lift the Champions League trophy, but he's a lifelong Liverpool fan, and that beats an home-town victory. It seems even high offices does not trump your childhood team. <strong>_______________</strong> A minute silence will be held for Sevilla FC player Jose Antonio Reyes before the start of the game, UAFA announced. Reyes was killed in a car crash, his club confirmed on Saturday. The 35-year-old won the Premier League title with Arsenal, and was capped 21 times by Spain, during a successful playing career that saw him have two spells with Sevilla and also play for both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. UEFA said "Reyes will be sorely missed by the football world." <strong>_______________</strong> Both sides have had amazing journeys to the final. Liverpool coming back from three down to beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate, while Lucas Moura scored a last-gasp goal that gave Tottenham an away goals success over Ajax. Richard Jolly has looked at where the game will be won and lost. From Mohamed Salah's form to how Tottenham will line up. Check it out <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/tottenham-v-liverpool-six-factors-that-could-decide-the-uefa-champions-league-final-1.868458">here</a>. <strong>_______________</strong> The countdown to kick-off is getting closer. Not sure where to watch the action in the UAE? Check out Ellen Fortini's guide to where in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to see the match<a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/champions-league-final-2019-where-to-watch-in-abu-dhabi-and-dubai-1.861416"> here</a>. <strong>_______________</strong> The big question for Tottenham Hotspur is whether to start top scorer Harry Kane or not. The England captain had looked as if season was over after he injured his ankle in the quarter-finals against Manchester City in April. But he has recovered and is reportedly fit enough that Mauricio Pochettino is considering starting him <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/tottenham-v-liverpool-will-harry-kane-play-in-champions-league-final-mauricio-pochettino-to-make-late-call-1.868808">and will leave it late to make a final call on it</a>. It will either be at the expense most likely of semi-final hat-trick hero Lucas Moura. Or the other option is stick with Moura and bring Kane on in the latter stages. We will know around 10pm what Pochettino decides. <strong>_______________</strong> For the first time since 2010 the Champions League final is being played in Madrid. The Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, the home of Atletico Madrid, is the host for tonight's action between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. Andy Mitten looks at the stadium and how it was formed from what had originally considered to be a white elephant. Read his story <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/wanda-metropolitano-s-journey-to-become-host-of-the-uefa-champions-league-final-1.868060">here</a>. <strong>_______________</strong> The 2017-18 season was an amazing one for Salah as he scored goals galore in his first year with Liverpool. The one negative was the Uefa Champions League final in Kiev as a shoulder injury took him out after just 30 minutes as Liverpool lost to Real Madrid. Twelve months on and Salah and Liverpool are back in the final, this time against Tottenham. Can Salah have a better time in Madrid? <strong>_______________</strong> One thing that is for certain in Madrid is that it will not be quiet on the touchline. Both Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp are animated figures as they pass on instructions to their players and watching them should be an interesting side note to the action on the pitch. Richard Jolly looks at the comparison between the pair with one man set to join an elite club as the manager of an European Cup winning side tonight. Read his take <a href="https://bit.ly/2YT3cQO">here</a>. <strong>_______________</strong> Good evening. We have known since May 8 that it would be two Premier League sides in the Uefa Champions League final. It is Tottenham Hotspur up against Liverpool in the showdown for Europe's most important club competition title, with the action in Madrid at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. For Liverpool it is the chance to win the competition for a sixth time and a first since 2005. Tottenham have never been in the European Cup final before, let alone won it, and this is a step into the unknown for them. Between now and 11pm UAE time, when the game kicks off, we will bring you all the pre-match news, as well as analysis from our team of writers on what to expect from only the second final in the tournament's history to be held between two English sides.
