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Real Madrid left it late to prove their mettle and win the Champions League after overcoming an impressive Dortmund side on Saturday night.
Both club and manager Carlo Ancelotti achieved record-extending feats at Wembley. While Madrid won their 15th title, the Italian gaffer claimed his fifth Champions League crown.
Borussia Dortmund were a thorn in the flesh of the Madrid side in the first half. Karim Adeyemi and Niclas Fullkrug troubled Los Blancos defence time and again.
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Adeyemi missed two first-half opportunities, while striker Fullkrug saw his effort hit the post. Recalled goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – who was left out of Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad – was solid in between the sticks.
Borussia Dortmund were made to pay for their missed chances when Spanish defender Dani Carvajal‘s glancing header from a corner drew the first blood in the 74th minute.
Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr added another after lashing onto Jude Bellingham’s pass seven minutes from the end of regulation time.
That late rally sent Dortmund fans into utter shock, silencing the German Faithfuls. Dortmund had the support of former manager – and Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2019 – Jurgen Klopp who was in the stands.
Dortmund made to pay for failing to convert opportunities
Madrid, guided by the master himself Carlo Ancelotti, showed once again they are the best team in Europe. Since claiming the famous La Decima exactly ten years ago, they have added five more UCL trophies to their cabinet. Dortmund simply had to pay for their missed chances and bow to Madrid’s superiority.
Edin Terzic’s Dortmund side began the game with a high intensity that left Madrid players on the back foot. The German club were all over and overwhelmed Madrid defence but could not convert their opportunities.
Just as it happened against Manchester City earlier in the campaign, Madrid were dominated for large parts of the game. However, the result was always going to go the Spanish giants’ way. That champion and winning mentality is one that has stuck with the European champions through and through. They always fight till the very end.
The victory also summed up an incredible first season at Real for Jude Bellingham. After winning the La Liga title, the 20-year-old was also awarded the league’s player of the season. Jude’s father and brother Kobe (player for Sunderland) were present at the Wembley to witness the glorious night.
Toni Kroos, in his final game for Madrid, won his sixth Champions League title. Carvajal, Nacho and substitute Luka Modric also won their sixth continental crowns.
It was also Marco Reus’ last offical match for the BVB. The German player will no longer represent the club as a player after now.
Although they lost tonight, Dortmund fans gave their players a loud ovation after their final whistle. The memories of their loss to country rivals Bayern Munich in 2013 still lingers. All in all, it was a wonderful run for The Black and Yellow.
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