WATCH: Karius blunders hand Madrid CL title

Cape Town - Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius made TWO critical mistakes in Saturday's Champions League final that saw Real Madrid crowned champions for a third consecutive year.

Thanks to what can only be termed a lack of concentration, the German shot-stopper casually rolled the ball out his box, but saw his action anticipated by Madrid striker Karim Benzema who stuck out a boot and managed to get enough of a touch to steer it inside the left post to give the Spaniards the lead.

Sadio Mane then gave the Reds hope in the 51st minute after his tap-in levelled matters before Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane introduced Gareth Bale in the 60th minute off the bench. 

The Welshman, with virtually his first touch of the ball, expertly connected with a Marcelo cross from the left with an acrobatic bicycle-kick to direct the ball into the back of the Liverpool net, leaving Karius with no chance.

Moments later, the Reds goalkeeper failed to keep out a dipping Bale shot from distance that he really should have at least punched clear.

A shocked Liverpool weren't able to recover and Real Madrid saw out the rest of the game, to be crowned champions for the 13th time.

WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW:

Goalkeeper Karius fails against Real Madrid is better with titanic music pic.twitter.com/oy59775gCm

— luchito (@luchitosi_) May 27, 2018

Gareth Bale 2nd Goal. Another Karius Mistake
3-1 Real Madrid to win the #ChampionsLeagueFinal #RMCF #LFC pic.twitter.com/NLOQUn0Mgy

— FootballClanTV (@Footballclantv) May 26, 2018