Simeone says 'no excuses' for loss: 'Real Madrid was better than us again'

Atletico Madrid bench boss Diego Simeone is probably getting pretty sick of facing city rival Real in the Champions League final, but the fiery Argentine admitted that his side was second-best when it mattered most in Saturday's contest: the penalty shootout.

Real Madrid emerged victorious 5-3 after Cristiano Ronaldo hammered home the decisive spot-kick, signalling the second time in three seasons Los Blancos have topped Los Colchoneros in Europe's showpiece match.

Related: Real Madrid defeats Atletico Madrid on penalties, claims 11th European Cup

"First I want to congratulate Madrid - they were better than us again, this time in the penalty shootout," Simeone said after the contest.

"We began the game badly, got better after about 25 minutes. We had a chance to equalise quickly in second half, but we did not take advantage of it," he said of Antoine Griezmann's penalty that crashed off the crossbar in the 48th minute.

Simeone added: "They had a chance for 2-0, but we equalised almost immediately afterwards. Then the game became very tactical, very draining, and the two teams were pretty tired.

"Today was not meant to be for us. There is no such thing as justice in football. Whoever wins deserves to win. There are no excuses."

The match as a whole lacked cohesion, and while neither side was dominant, Real Madrid was a worthy victor on the basis of play.