With all eyes falling on Wembley this weekend, Real Madrid made more European history as they were crowned Champions League winners thanks to a dramatic 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund.
While Los Blancos might have arrived in north London tipped as a runaway contender by many across the continent, it was the German giants who dominated large spells of the first-half.
Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi missed two first-half chances and striker Niclas Fullkrug hit the post, with recalled Real keeper Thibaut Courtois also providing a formidable barrier.
However, while Carlo Ancelotti’s side might have struggled to find any kind of fluidity prior to the half-time break, the Spanish record-breakers demonstrated why they are Europe’s ultimate poster boy.
Finding another level after returning from the interval, it was veteran defender Dani Carvajal who finally opened the scoring thanks to a glanced header from a corner with just 16 minutes left on the clock.
Madrid officially got their hands on a history-making 15th European crown just minutes later as Brazilian ace Vinicius Junior produced a smart finish.
On a night when Los Blancos showed all of their experience on the Champions League stage, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Wembley.
Los Blancos cement their spot as Europe’s poster boy
Eventually relinquishing their La Liga crown during the 2022/23 campaign thanks to an infamous 10-point deficit, Real Madrid certainly faced a major backlash and questions swirled over Ancelotti’s future in the Spanish capital.
However, reclaiming their domestic title this time around and not really having to get out of third gear, Los Blancos have only further underlined their status as European football’s ultimate poster boy.
While the Spanish icons might have had to ride their luck during this season’s Champions League adventure, Madrid showed all of their experience as they successfully wrote another chapter of European history.
Crowned double-champions this season and now lifting Europe’s ultimate prize on five separate occasions over the past 10 years, Ancelotti’s superstar squad continued to show their mental resolve during this year’s rollercoaster adventure.
Sending now-former European champions Manchester City packing back in April and also mounting a remarkable last-gasp comeback against Bayern Munich last month, Madrid certainly went about things the hard way this season.
More Champions League heartbreak at Wembley for BVB
Suffering Champions League final heartbreak when they travelled to Wembley back in 2013 as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of arch-rivals Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund were desperate to go one-step further this time around.
However, dominating large spells of the first-half in the English capital and creating a host of golden chances, Saturday’s 2-0 defeat will certainly be remembered as a real missed opportunity for Edin Terzic’s men.
Eventually falling at the final hurdle once again, there is no doubt that BVB will look back at Saturday’s trip to Wembley and think of what could have been on another night.
Failing to match their first-half performance after returning from the interval here, Dortmund’s youngsters will take some time to recover from what was certainly a major phycological blow on the grandest of stages this weekend.
While Dortmund might have rightfully received a string of plaudits following a gutsy first-half display in north London, it remains to be seen if Saturday’s 2-0 defeat will be Terzic’s final appearance in BVB’s dugout.
Vinicius Junior further his Ballon d’Or credentials
While a certain Jude Bellingham might have stolen plenty of the pre-match headlines on Saturday night, it was another of Los Blancos’ attacking icons who proved to be Madrid’s hero at Wembley.
Sending Madrid’s travelling support into overdrive after cooly slotting past Gregor Kobel late on, Vinicius has played a leading role in Ancelotti’s charge for the history books this season.
Recording a sixth Champions League strike of the campaign here, the Brazilian superstar only finished behind the duo of Harry Kane and future teammate PSG in the race for this season’s Golden Boot.
With Ancelotti claiming after Saturday’s iconic 2-0 victory that he believed Vinicius should be the leading candidate to claim this season’s Ballon d’Or, the Brazilian ace has continued to shine on the European stage.
Along with notching a semi-final brace when Madrid traveled to Munich for their first-leg showdown on April 30th, Vinicius has remarkably recorded 18 goals across all competitions since opening the New Year.
Match Report
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen, Sabitzer, Can, Brandt, Sancho, Fullkrug, Adeyemi
Subs: Militao, Modric, Joselu, Vazquez
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Kroos, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo
Subs: Reus, Haller, Malen, Bynoe-Gittens
Goals: Carvajal (74’), Vinicius Junior (83’)
Yellow Cards: Borussia Dortmund: Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer – Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Slavko Vincic
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