By Samindra Kunti in London
June 2 – Real Madrid confirmed their status as kings of Europe, claiming a record fifteenth European Cup title following a 2-0 smash-and-grab victory against Borussia Dortmund in the final of the Champions League, with Daniel Carjaval and Vinicius Junior getting the goals in the second half.
For much of the evening under the arch of Wembley Stadium, Dortmund terrorised Madrid, who, almost in their quintessential style, looked dysfunctional but produced another hold-up with the full-back’s glancing 74th-minute header that nestled into the top right corner and Vinicius Junior’s composed 83rd-minute strike.
The Germans had been knocked out in the space of 11 minutes. There was a sense of inevitability to it all and by winning Madrid were simply doing what they always do in finals. It was the sign of a great team – being dominated and yet finding a way to win.
Once Carjaval scored there was no way back for Dortmund. Madrid sensed blood and Vinicius Junior, who scored the winner two years ago in the final against Liverpool, delivered the killer blow from a Jude Bellingham assist.
Madrid had bided their time and then struck with lethal force. It was a hugely predictable scenario and yet for 74 minutes, it had looked as if Dortmund could upset the established order and inject European football, which is often seen as stratified, with some much-needed change.
Instead, Madrid’s love affair with Europe’s premier competition continues, their aura even more reinforced.
After a tense opening phase with both Frederico Valverde and Vinicius Junior blasting attempts well wide, Dortmund had the first major opportunity of the match, but Karim Adeyemi, released by a long ball, inexplicably pushed the ball too far sideways when momentum was taking him the other way. He had to settle for a corner.
Moments later, the number 27 claimed a penalty, leaving the referee unmoved. Dortmund’s waves of attacks – playing toward the yellow wall – kept coming and Niclas Fullkrug pushed the ball against the inside of the post after a delicate through ball from Ian Maatsen.
In the 28th minute, Adeyemi, a constant scourge for the Madrid rearguard, tore away on the inside-left channel and his attempt from a tight angle forced Thibaut Courtois, playing in only his fifth match of the season following multiple injuries, into a fine save. In the rebound, Fullkrug could not get enough power behind his header.
Real Madrid had the lion’s share of the ball, but Dortmund had the chances. Would the Germans come to rue their profligacy? In the 35th minute, Vinicius Junior was booked somewhat harshly when he went for the ball as keeper Gregor Kobel cleared. It was perhaps also a sign of Madrid’s impotence – their most feared player was being kept quiet. The Spanish giants failed to register a single attempt on target in the first half.
Dortmund had executed their game plan perfectly, except for their wastefulness in front of the goal. Just before half-time, Marcel Sabitzer let fly another attempt that Courtois tipped into corner and Mats Hummels’s tackle on Vinicius Junior at the other end prompted huge cheers from the yellow end.
Straight after the restart, Madrid came close for the first time but Kobel clawed Toni Kroos’s free-kick away. Without dominating, Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed signs of more attacking intent but Dani Carjaval’s volley at the far post did not contain enough venom.
Dortmund however remained dangerous and once again Courtois came to Madrid’s rescue parrying Fullkrug’s powerful header from Adeyemi’s cross from the left. At the other end, Jude Bellingham, who had been quiet all night, failed to connect with a cross from Vinicius Junior, a major let-off for Dortmund.
But then Real struck in an eleven-minute blitz, the finale of another triumphant night for Real Madrid, the mentality monsters who keep finding a way.
At the final whistle, Edin Terzic embraced his opposite number Ancelotti, who won a record fifth European crown as manager, and Bellingham fell to the floor in tears. Kroos danced with joy, reflecting on an unparalleled club career. The German, Luka Modric, Carvajal and Nacho joined Paco Gente as six-time winners of the competition. Real Madrid rule Europe once more.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1725754342labto1725754342ofdlr1725754342owedi1725754342sni@i1725754342tnuk.1725754342ardni1725754342mas1725754342