Real Madrid have clinched their record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title after defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final on Saturday night.
UEFA Champions League final
Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Date: 1 June 2024
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Madrid kept the same line-up from the goalless draw against Real Betis in the final LaLiga game, as Jude Bellingham faced his former side just behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo upfront and Toni Kroos featured in his last club football game ahead of his retirement after the 2024 European Championship for Germany.
In the opening exchanges, it was up to Los Blancos to break down a low block from Dortmund, who were dangerous on counter-attacks.
Karim Adeyemi had such a big chance from a transition attack midway into the first stanza after he rounded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from a one-on-one but his shot across the goal was blocked by Dani Carvajal.
Just two minutes later, the German outfit had another break after Niclas Fullkrug latched onto a through ball but his toe-poked effort came off the bottom post.
Dortmund continued to find the better chances going forward as just before the interval Marcel Sabitzer nearly broke the deadlock with a strike unmarked from the edge of the box that forced an outstretched save from Courtois, who kept the score deadlocked at halftime.
However, BVB were also a threat going forward as around the hour-mark, Fullkrug almost broke the deadlock with a header at the back post that stretched Courtois at the far post.
Los Blancos gained momentum in the latter stages and with 15 minutes remaining, Carvajal eventually broke the deadlock with a glancing header at the near post from a cross by Kroos.
Edin Terzic's men were vulnerable at the back as they tried to push numbers forward and were kept in the game the brilliance of Kobel in goal.
However, Dortmund shot themselves in the foot in the dying minutes after a back pass by Ian Maatsen was intercepted and Vinicius Junior went through on goal and doubled the lead for Madrid with a strike past Kobel.
The German side thought they had a lifeline in the last three minutes after Fullkrug found the back of the net with a header but the goal was chalked off for offside.
Madrid were comfortable in the end as they were crowned European champions for the 15th time.
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