Champions League final - Real Madrid 3 Valencia 0

Real Madrid are writing their own Champions League record book as a sursprisingly easy win over Spanish rivals Valencia in Paris saw them win an eight Champions' title.

The 3-0 win gave Real their second Champions League trophy in three seasons and makes up for any disappointment after a patchy league campaign.

Every fan knows that Real have saved their best form for Europe this season and so it proved in Paris at the Stade de Nationale.

Raul sealed the win in the 75th minute with a solo run from inside his own half to reach a long ball from defence from Redondo that cleared some Valencia pressure. With goalkeeper Canizares pushing up to help his attack Raul carried the ball to the goal and rounded Canizares as he scrambled to recover his position. The Spain forward then drove in a shot from a very narrow angle to start Real's victory celebrations.

In the 66th minute Steve McManaman had all but settled the final by swishing a volley from the edge of the penalty area into the corner of the net with Canizares unsighted. Nicolas Anelka did well to get out of McManaman's way and allow the shot to progress as the Englishman ran to hit a defensive header back on target.

The goals sank any chance of a Valencia fight back afer Morientes had given Real the lead.

Valencia struggled to clear a wayward free kick from Roberto Carlos and it was deflected wide to allow Michel Salgado to combine with Nicolas Anelka on the right hand side of the penalty area. A tackle on Anelka saw the ball break around Salgado's run into the box and he held off a challenge to turn back on himself and scoop a cross to the far post where Morientes rose above his marker and headed the ball firmly down into the net.

Morientes has been a target for Italian clubs in the past two weeks but this vital goal could secure a future at Real Madrid for the highly rated forward.

Real Madrid dominated the first half with their attacking intentions. Anelka forced a save from Canizres in the top corner of his net after the French striker reached a cross from Raul with his head in the 15th minute.

Valencia responded with a Gaizka Mendieta shot that went narrowly wide after Mendieta had led a break out after a Real corner.

Claudio Lopez, playing his last game for Valencia before a move to Italian champions SS Lazio, carried the ball from an 18th minute corner before whipping a drive wide of the post.

Real then took the lead in the 38th minute and Valncia's attacks were reduced in quality and quantity. The side who demolished FC Barcelona in the semi final seemed strangely hesitant in front of goal.

Mendieta was lucky to escape punishment in the 52nd minute for a kick on the ground at Roberto Carlos and Redondo was also treated leniently for retaliation against Mendieta in 57th minute when he was angered by a challenge.

Coach Vicente Del Bosque was working with the youth team at Real until president Lorenzo Sanz decided to dump coach John Toshack in November. Now the club's former midfielder has led them to the greatest prize in the world game. He took part of his youth team with him to the victory summit as goalkeeper Iker Casillas playing in Paris as the youngest goalkeeper in final after turning 19 on Sunday.