GLASGOW, May 16: Zinedine Zidane justified his world record price tag when his stunning goal sealed Real Madrid’s ninth European Cup with a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League final at Hampden Park Wednesday.

The French midfielder, who cost 48 million pounds ($70 million) last year, struck a brilliantly-executed left-foot volley at the end of the first half for Real’s winning goal.

It was created out of nothing but is one that is likely to assume its place in European soccer folklore and earned Real a hard-won victory in their centenary year.

Their third European title in five years was guaranteed at the end by three outstanding saves from substitute goalkeeper Ilker Casillas.

The match turned in the 45th minute when a quick Real break, against the run of play ended with Roberto Carlos lofting a high, hopeful ball across goal in the general direction of Zidane, who was being closely marked by two defenders.

The Frenchman drifted away from them, followed the descent of the ball out of the night sky and then unleashed an unstoppable left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area that was in the back of the net before Leverkusen goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt had a chance to move.

The goal would have graced any game, including the 1960 European Cup final which Real famously won also at Hampden 7-3 against Eintracht Frankfurt. The surviving veterans of that game — watching from the VIP seats, leapt as one to acclaim the goal which proved to be the winner.

Real struck the first blow after nine minutes with a goal as soft as Zidane’s was brilliant. Leverkusen were caught napping by a long throw from Roberto Carlos which Raul ran on to and collected.

Although he lost his marker Lucio he appeared to underhit his shot which Butt also appeared to have covered. Yet somehow it eluded the goalkeeper and crept in at the far post.

It was Raul’s sixth goal in the Champions League this season and he has now scored an all time record of 34 Champions League goals.

Lucio made amends five minutes later when he equalised with a header following a Bernd Schneider free-kick. Leverkusen then dominated most of the first half — until Zidane struck.

World Player of the Year Luis Figo had a quiet game for Real and was replaced by Steve McManaman midway through the second half, but a second substitution proved even more decisive for Real.

Goalkeeper Cesar limped off after 68 minutes with a foot injury and Casillas made his mark on the match with three stunning saves in injury time at the end of a superb final to leave Leverkusen empty-handed after a cruel three weeks in which they lost out on the German title, lost the German Cup final and now the Champions League final.—Reuters