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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterThe ability to deliver when the stakes are at their highest is what separates the very good from the all-time greats.Goals in the biggest games go down in history, so when a strike such as Gareth Bales spectacular overhead kick that helped seal Real Madrids 13th European Cup go in, they are remembered forever.That was the go-ahead goal against Liverpool in the 2018 final, as the Welshman made a 29-minute game-changing cameo by netting twice to secure the Spanish sides 3-1 victory in Kyiv.Article continues below You may like It was an immense privilege to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. Hes an extraterrestrial Marcelo on what its like to share a pitch with the Portugal icon Mourinho was a born winner he pushed us, he took us to the limit. Real had gone too long without winning and a club of that magnitude couldnt allow that to happen Marcelo on Jose Mourinhos El Clasico impact at Real Madrid My whole life flashed through my mind when I went up to take my penalty in the Champions League final. There was no margin for error Nani on what it meant step up during the 2008 Champions League final shootout Marcelo on what it meant to assist Bales 2018 Champions League final braceWhile the history books will credit Bale as the matchwinner, the former Tottenham winger had his Brazilian team-mate Marcelo to thank for laying on two assists.Bales overhead kick came courtesy of a Marcelo cross from the left - albeit one which the Brazilian did not expect the Wales international to score from.No, because I wanted to send the ball into another area, Marcelo admits to FourFourTwo eight years on. But it brushed slightly off Sadio Mans foot and Bale had to improvise that finish.I could say it was a calculated assist, but that would be false!Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.For Marcelo, this goal showed the sport of football at its unpredictable best.That goal showed that football is sometimes more improvisation than planning, he continues.Bale scored with an overhead kick because he needed to, not because it had been prepared. What to read next The three finest individual displays of 2025 two of which came from the same club The 2007 Champions League Final was a missed opportunity for Liverpool. That Milan defeat still hurts me today Bolo Zenden on his huge Anfield regret Despite being a legend, Zidane showed humility. He was different from the rest and he was our coach. We were fortunate Marcelo opens up on what his best Real Madrid managers brought to the club The former Fluminense star would lay on a second assist with seven minutes of the final remaining, as he found Bale in space, who tried his luck from range and saw a swerving shot go through the hands of Loris Karius, who had also made an error for Karim Benzemas opener.If I have to choose one of the two assists, it would be the second, Marcelo says.Because I executed a precise switch of play that nobody expected, which allowed Bale to finish freely, albeit with Loris Karius error.The 3-1 victory over Liverpool saw Marcelo earn the fourth of his five Champions League winners medals, even if it was Bale who took the headlines that evening.TOPICSReal MadridChampions LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
