What led Real Madrid to win the UEFA Champions League final against Dortmund?
Real Madrid’s European dominance continued as Carlo Ancelotti’s men beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to win the UEFA Champions League tonight (June 1). Los Blancos secured their 15th European title courtesy of goals from Dani Carvajal (74′) and Vinicius Junior (83′).
Dortmund were the superior side in the first half but were extremely wasteful in front of goal. BVB hit the post in the first half which was one of 13 attempts they had all game. Their lack of goal-scoring potency came back to haunt them as a sleeping Real Madrid woke up in the second half after weathering the Bundesliga giants’ storm for an hour.
Real Madrid rose to the occasion with 20 minutes left on the clock and opened the scoring through Carvajal’s header. The Spaniard rose highest to meet Toni Kroos’ inch-perfect corner and head the ball past Gregor Kobel. It was Kroos’ 99th assist of his Madrid career and a fitting way to end his career with the La Liga giants.
Los Merengues were purring and Vinicius got himself a deserved goal thanks to a lack of communication at the back from Edin Terzic’s men. Jude Bellingham pounced, playing his Brazilian teammate through on goal and he made no mistake, putting his side 2-0 ahead.
Dortmund looked to get themselves back in the game and they had the ball in the back of the net in the 87th minute. Niclas Fullkrug headed home from close range and wheeled away in celebration, only for the offside flag to go up.
It wasn’t to be for the German underdogs, as Ancelotti’s La Liga champions reigned supreme at Wembley. The Spaniards have now won the Champions League twice as many times as any other club.
“It was difficult” – Carlo Ancelotti admits Real Madrid struggled during their UEFA Champions League final win
Carlo Ancelotti gave an honest assessment of Real Madrid’s performance after guiding them to Champions League glory for the third time in his career. The Italian tactician explained how the final panned out to be a game of two halves (via Managing Madrid):
“They were better in the first half. They played what they wanted to do, which was to defend and counter-attack. After that we were better. It was difficult. We defended set-pieces, which was their main threat. But then they also suffered in this way.”
Los Blancos had 58% of possession with both sides trying their luck at goal on 13 occasions. Ancelotti’s men were more clinical and it showed with Carvajal and Vinicius ensuring their name was on the Champions League trophy once again.
Also Read: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Player Ratings: Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal Shine at Wembley