WALES delivered a spectacular Champions League final and Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid delivered a superb display to retain the trophy at the Principality Stadium on Saturday night.

It was a 12th European Cup triumph for Madrid and a third in four years as Zinedine Zidane’s side became the first to retain the title in the Champions League era.

Cardiff-born Bale was a bit-part player on home turf, restricted to a 13-minute cameo as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.

By that time Real were 3-1 up thanks to two well worked goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and a deflected effort from Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

Ronaldo swept Dani Carvajal’s centre into the bottom corner to give the Spaniards the lead after 20 minutes.

But Juventus had started brightly and they were level seven minutes later thanks to a stunning overhead volley from Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic.

After a thrilling first 45 minutes the match was perfectly poised at 1-1 but Real took control after the break to silence the vociferous Juventus supporters.

Two goals in four minutes after the hour mark effectively settled the final as Casemiro’s shot from 30 yards beat Gianluigi Buffon via a deflection off Sami Khedira before Ronaldo converted a Luka Modric cross after a flowing move to make it 3-1.

Juventus had substitute Juan Cuadrado dismissed six minutes from time after two yellow cards – the second after some embarrassing play-acting from Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.

And Bale almost got on the end of a Ronaldo cross but the fourth and final goal came from fellow sub Marco Asensio to complete the rout in the final minute.

“To win at home is a dream come true,” said Bale after lifting the famous trophy for a third time.

“It's been a hard season and I've worked hard. It didn't seem like I was going to make it to the final but I've worked tirelessly at home and it's the reward you get for all the hard work you've put in.

“We've made more history,” added the Wales star. “I'm a happy man to win the 12th and what an incredible stadium.

“Cardiff held a great event and it was good for it to end with all smiles.

“The city have done an immaculate job in hosting such a great event and we thank everyone for that.

“It was a very special occasion for me personally and it was an incredible feeling to lift that trophy here.”

Speculation is rife that Bale’s time in Madrid could be nearing an end but he’s determined to stay in Spain and win more trophies.

“Nights like this is why you're a footballer and why I joined Real Madrid,” he said.

“It's three in four years and not many people can say that. It justifies why I came here, it's great to be part of that and I want it to continue.”