KIEV, Ukraine -- Three quick thoughts on Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Liverpool to win their third straight Champions League, and fourth in five years.
1. Super-sub Bale makes it three in a row for Real
Liverpool fans have a banner that reads "Form is temporary, class is permanent," but that could apply to Gareth Bale in Kiev after the Real Madrid forward climbed off the substitutes' bench to score twice to win his club's third successive Champions League title.
Bale, dropped to the bench by coach Zinedine Zidane, is facing an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu after a difficult season with the Spanish giants.