Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal celebrates scoring their first goal with Nacho, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde. (Reuters)
Real Madrid proved why they are so difficult to beat in a European Cup final when they came back from the dead to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-0, snagging their 15th champions League title at the Wembley on Saturday.
After being second-best for most of the competition with Dortmund missing at least three chances in the first half, Real clicked when it mattered the most as veteran defender Dani Carvajal took flight, rose up in between tall defenders and buried a header in the the 74th minute.
Vinicius Junior would then strike the final nail in Dortmund’s coffin in the 83rd when he capitalised on a mistake by Ian Maatsen and slot the ball past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Toni Kroos, who was playing his last game for Real gave the assist for the first goal while Jude Bellingham chipped in with an assist of his own for the second goal after almost scoring himself a few minutes before turning provider.
2024 CHAMPIONS: Real Madrid 🏆#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/msoVjUWhRy
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2024
Dortmund almost got a lifeline in the dying embers of the match when Niclas Füllkrug headed one inside the Real net but it was ultimately ruled offside.
Victory sealed a record-extending fifth Champions League title for coach Carlo Ancelotti, his third with Madrid.
Meanwhile Carvajal, Luka Modric, Kroos and Nacho have won European club football’s biggest prize on six occasions to equal the benchmark set by Madrid icon Paco Gento.
Dortmund paid the price for not making the most of its first half dominance when Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pulled off a series of saves and Fullkrug hit the post.
More to follow
