Real Madrid's latest European triumph has been built on drama and incredible comebacks - and has been achieved eight months after they were on the wrong end of one of the great European shocks.
The Spanish giants were conducting an inquest after losing at home to Sheriff Tiraspol in the group stage.
On Saturday, Real were crowned champion of Europe for a record 14th time - twice as many as any other club.
Carlo Ancelotti celebrated with his players on the pitch as they took in the enormity of their achievement.
They were probably not the better team in the competition this season, according to French football expert Julien Laurens.
Rio Ferdinand is a former Manchester United and England defender.
Real Madrid were not expected to do this, but with every hurdle they have overcome it.
Real lost four times on their way to the final. It was the fourth defeat in 63 matches for the Reds across all competitions.
Carlo Ancelotti&s side finished the campaign kings of Europe.
Real scored three times in 17 second-half minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Paris St-Germain in the last 16.
Rodrygo scored in the 80th minute to force extra-time, after they had trailed holders Chelsea 4-3 in the closing stages of their quarter-final. They advanced thanks to a 96th-minute goal by Benzema.
They came back in their semi-final against Manchester City.
After just one minute of normal time remaining in the second leg, Real trailed the side by a score of 6-3, but Rodrygo scored twice to force extra time.
Benzema, who has scored seven goals against English teams this season, sent Paris with a penalty.
Real had to weather a strong start by the Reds and win despite only managing two attempts on target.
Ferdinand said that he had never seen a harder route to the final.
They beat the champion of England. It is breathtaking.
Steve McManaman, a former Real Madrid player, said that Madrid do what they always do. They win them when they get to finals. The manner and style has made it the greatest success for them.
The Madrid team is not as strong as it could be, but they have got to the final and lifted it.
Benzema was not in the final, but he has been the heartbeat of the European triumph.
The France forward has scored 15 goals in Europe this season, including two hat-tricks, and is the leading scorer in the competition in the next two seasons.
Will it be enough for him to win the Ballon d'Or?
The argument is over for the Ballon d'Or. Ferdinand said that if Benzema doesn't get it, it will be a travesty.
No one has won more times as a manager than Carlo Ancelotti, who is celebrating his fourth triumph in the competition as a boss.
The Italian said after the game that he was a record man.
Kylian Mbappe decided to commit to Paris St-Germain, despite Real hoping to parade him earlier this week.
His decision to stay in Paris did not go well.
The Madrid press were apoplectic, to the point that in the early part of the week all coverage was about the non-deal rather than the small matter of the final.
Real put all that behind them to beat the Reds and spark celebrations in Spain.
This is an amazing generation. They have won it five times in eight years, the toughest one to win, according to Laurens.
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