Real Madrid secured its place in the Champions League final on Wednesday despite losing 2-1 at Atlético Madrid in the second leg of their semifinal round.
Real’s 3-0 win in the first leg last week proved too much for Atlético to overcome as the reigning European champions progressed 4-2 on aggregate.
Early goals from Saúl Ñíguez and Antoine Griezmann, off a penalty kick, gave Atlético hope and put a big scare into Real Madrid.
Real midfielder Isco struck just before the break to leave the hosts with too much to do, taking Real through to the final against Italian power Juventus in Cardiff on June 3.
Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas had a couple key stops throughout the match, including in the 67th minute when he made an incredible double save to prevent an Atlético comeback.
For both Real Madrid and Navas, it is the second straight trip to the final of Europe’s biggest club tournament. Last year, Real Madrid topped Atlético Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Navas is not the only Costa Rican to be playing in a Champions League final this year, as women’s star Shirley Cruz has advanced to a remarkable third final with Paris St. Germain. The Parisians will take on Cruz’s former club Lyon on June 1.
In 2011 and 2012, Cruz won consecutive Champions League titles with Lyon.
