Vinicius Jr produced a sparkling performance in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final as Real Madrid survived Borussia Dortmund’s scare to secure their 15th UEFA Champions League title.
Borussia Dortmund head coach, Edin Terzic treaded on the threshold of history at Wembley as he hoped to lead Dortmund to their first European Cup since 1973. But it was certainly going to be a tough one for the German, wrestling down the indomitable LaLiga and European giants, who were looking for their 15th UEFA Champions League title.
The records and the odds favored the Los Blancos but the Black and Yellow were no pushovers having belied a difficult domestic campaign to steamroller past PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid, and PSG to the final.
It was a tricky affair as the game kicked off. Against expectations, Borussia Dortmund got off to a fiery start, forcing the LaLiga and European giants to their half.
Former Manchester United loanee Marcel Sabitzer spearheaded Dortmund’s first potent threat in the game in the 5th minute but his cross into the penalty area was cleared by Rudiger.
Two minutes later, Brandt got Borussia Dortmund on the threat again with an out-swinging corner but Kroos was equal to the task.
Borussia Dortmund continued on the ascendancy going forward and it was a tricky going for the Los Blancos trying to navigate through Dortmund’s sustained high press.
In the 21st minute, the German side nearly drew the first blood. Mats Hummels had found Adeyemi, who stole his way past Real Madrid’s high line. The Nigerian-German star had only Thibaut Courtois to beat but squandered the chance after he squared the goalkeeper but was marked out by Rudiger.
Two minutes later, Dortmund came close again to another big chance. Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen had sent a defence-piercing pass for Fullkrug. Fullkrug stretched his leg and beat Courtois’ dive but the ball hit the woodwork.
It was an incredible press by Dortmund with Thibaut Courtois forced to make crucial saves that kept the scores barren. Vinicius Jr had less of the ball as his side continued to reel under pressure. The Brazilian picked the first yellow card of the game after a rash challenge on Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Kobel.
Three minutes after the half-hour, Real Madrid recorded 0 attempts as Dortmund continued dominating proceedings.
Schlotterbeck got Borussia Dortmund’s first yellow card in the 40th minute when he challenged the referee for penalizing his teammate after a foul on Vinicius Jr.
Marcel Sabitzer also saw yellow three minutes later after he confronted the linesman, protesting the decision to award a throw-in to Real Madrid.
After an intriguing and entertaining first half, it ended goalless with both sides heading into the break on a tie. Borussia Dortmund proved the better side. And Carlo Ancelotti needed to return to the drawing board to get pass Edin Terzic’s tactical masterclass in the first 45.
The game took a different trajectory in the second half as the Los Blancos improved
their game and registered a series of early chances. Carvajal nearly got Real Madrid ahead after Kroos’ corner-kick but saw his flick fly over the bar.
The La Liga champions continued dominating proceedings with a series of dangerous offensives. It was still goalless until the 74th when Real Madrid’s pressure finally yielded a result, thanks to a corner-kick won by Vinicius Jr. Kroos delivered the corner-kick with a brilliant out-swinger. Dani Carvajal was left unmarked as he latched on the cross and headed it past Kobel into the back of the net.
After Carvajal’s goal, it was a one-sided affair going forward. Real Madrid built on their lead, dominating proceedings.
Dortmund seemed lost in the game and were reeling under pressure. Unlike the first half, they made no headway on the offensive.
Seven minutes before regulation time, the Bundesliga outfit’s comeback hopes was dashed by Vinicius Jr’s clinical finish. Jude Bellingham had intercepted a pass from the opponents and fed it to the Brazilian who finished with a powerful strike with his right foot.
Borussia Dortmund thought they had halved the deficit in 87th minute when Fullkrug scored a brilliant header but the goal was chalked off as offside.
The game finally ended with Real Madrid winning 2-0 to clinch their 15th Champions League title and Carlo Ancelotti’s third with the Los Blancos.
It was a good fight by Borussia Dortmund but not enough to beat the experience of the LaLiga and European giants.
