Champions League: Have Real Madrid done the neutrals a favour by preventing all-English final?
With another all-English Champions League final avoided, we look back to see whether one-country finals rather ruin the Euro showpiece.
When Gabriel Hanot, the editor of French sports newspaper L'Equipe, proposed a European Cup competition in the 1950s, it's fair to say he never envisaged two teams from the same country contesting the final.
Following Real Madrid's breathtaking comeback in the semi-final against Manchester City, the neutrals have at least now been spared what would have been a third all-English Champions League final in four years.
Man City fans won't see that as a good thing, of course, but what we can do is compare what has happened in such games with those of a dissimilar nature.
2021 - Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0
Last year's showpiece was decided by a goal from Kai Havertz as Chelsea continued to hold the Indian sign over their English rivals.
Having beaten them in both the league and FA Cup in the lead-up to this contest, Chelsea again defended superbly to restrict Man City to a handful of chances. At the other end, they took their opportunity when it was offered.
🔵 Kai Havertz's first Champions League goal ⚽️🏆@kaihavertz29 | @ChelseaFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/cc6TpzflbU
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 2, 2021
Pep Guardiola arguably undermined City's chances, going with an unusual set-up which failed to feature a holding midfielder as both Rodri and Fernandinho were surprisingly left out.
2019 - Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0
A game that lacked drama, largely due to the fact Liverpool were in front inside two minutes courtesy of a controversial penalty, scored by Mo Salah.
Spurs, playing a clearly unfit Harry Kane, rarely threatened, although the stats do show they had 14 shots, three of which were on target.
2008 - Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 on pens (after 1-1 draw)
Manchester United started the brighter with Cristiano Ronaldo heading them in front but Frank Lampard levelled on the stroke of half-time.
Chelsea used that as a platform but despite being the better side after the interval they couldn't find a winner.
Extra time and penalties ensued with Chelsea left to forever regret John Terry's untimely slip when he stepped up in torrential rain at 4-4, knowing if he scored the Blues would be champions. His miscued effort duly hit the post.
John Terry steps up to win the @ChampionsLeague for Chelsea… BUT HE SLIPS! 😱
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 30, 2020
Will Avram Grant’s side be made to pay for that? 👀#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/qJRtCiDUXe
Other finals featuring teams from the same country
2016 - Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 5-3 on pens (after 1-1 draw)
2014 - Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 aet (1-1 after 90 mins)
2013 - Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1
2003 - AC Milan beat Juventus 3-2 on pens (after a 0-0 draw)
2000 - Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0
What the stats say
That's 24 finals in total to look at and, using only goals scored in 90 minutes, they average out at 2.63 goals per game.
What about shots?
In short, the figures suggest Real Madrid have done the neutrals a big favour by preventing Manchester City making it another all-English final.