Real Madrid are once again champions of Europe after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley in the Champions League final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had to withstand plenty of pressure from the German outfit but Dani Carvajal’s second-half header was followed by a late goal from Vinicius Jr to ensure Jude Bellingham lifted his first Champions League trophy and gave Toni Kroos the perfect ending to his club career.
Here are five big talking points from the game…
Real Madrid always find a way
Real Madrid are the kings of Europe. This was their 15th win in this competition, way ahead of anyone else, and once again they proved that their aura is as unbeatable as their record. Despite being second best to Dortmund for the opening half, Madrid always believed they would win – because they usually do. Once Dani Carvajal put them in front with a glancing header, there was no looking back and Vinicius Junior’s goal was confirmation of another crowning glory.
Dortmund fail to make dominance count
You have to take your chances when they come along. Dortmund could have been 2-0 ahead at half-time – and would have deserved it, had Karim Adeyemi and Niclas Fullkrug taken advantage of two gilt-edged chances in the opening 25 minutes. Adeyemi was in one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois but took the ball too wide in trying to round the keeper, then three minutes later Fullkrug toe-poked a shot against the far post. Those misses came back to haunt Dortmund once Real Madrid scored their two late goals to win the game.
Wembley problems
Wembley’s security is still poor. Three years on from the horrendous scenes that blighted UEFA’s last big event at this stadium, there was more embarrassment when three pitch invaders made it on to the turf inside the opening minute. Even worse, a lack of stewards and the slow response meant that the game did not restart for three minutes. Luckily the ‘invaders’ only wanted selfies, with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior – otherwise it could have been far worse.
Bellingham still makes an impact despite under-par performance
Jude Bellingham is human after all. Much was expected of the former Birmingham and Dortmund man, still only 20 years old, but he had a quiet game by his high standards, although he did manage an assist for Vinicius Junior’s goal. Playing as a false nine, the England man barely had a sniff of goal apart from one shot late in the game that was deflected wide by Nico Schlotterbeck. But he will not care about his own below-par performance, as he ended the evening with a winner’s medal around his neck and the giant trophy in his hands.
Dortmund’s incredible support
Dortmund’s fans are among the best in the world. The famous Yellow Wall was incredible once again, outsinging their rival fans from the start, showing an impressive range of flags and scarves, and never giving up on their team. The losing half of Wembley usually empties within minutes of the final whistle, but Dortmund’s fans stayed to applaud their team, just as they had 11 years ago when they lost here to Bayern Munich. Jurgen Klopp was their manager in 2013, and the recently retired Liverpool boss was back here to watch them again.
