If this had to be the last time, at least they were going to enjoy it. The final Champions League group game at the home of the club that has won more of them than anyone else was a farewell to the old format and a homage to Real Madrid’s astonishing taste for the epic, dramatic late comebacks delivered as standard. It was a hugely entertaining one too, Jude Bellingham at the heart of a 4-2 victory against Napoli which was finally secured by an unexpected hero.
Nico Paz, the 19-year-old son of the former Argentina international Pablo Paz, struck a superb shot to put Madrid 3-2 up with five minutes to go and there was still time for Joselu to add a fourth. He turned to the fans, apologised for the chances he had missed before and was instantly absolved. How could it be otherwise? They had had a blast, victory clinching top place and a classic chant going round again: “How could I not love you, if you won the European Cup over and over again?”
