Breaking: Real Madrid Triumphs Over Dortmund to Clinch Record 15th Champions League Title

Real Madrid’s players lift the trophy to celebrate their victory at the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 1, 2024.

Real Madrid endured a fierce challenge from Borussia Dortmund to secure their 15th Champions League title with a 2-0 victory at Wembley on Saturday. Late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior sealed the win for the Spanish giants, who continue to hold the record as the most successful club in Champions League history.

 

Carvajal headed in a corner from Toni Kroos in the 74th minute, breaking the deadlock. Vinicius Junior extended the lead, firing into the far corner, ensuring Madrid's ninth consecutive European Cup final win and their sixth title in the last 11 seasons.

 

Despite Dortmund's dominance in the first half, with Niclas Fuellkrug hitting the post and Karim Adeyemi missing a one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, Madrid’s resilience once again shone through. Carvajal, Kroos, Nacho, and Luka Modric joined Real legend Paco Gento as the only players to win the European Cup six times. Carlo Ancelotti also extended his record as the most successful coach in the competition’s history with his fifth title.

 

Security at Wembley was tight, with over 2,500 stewards present to prevent incidents similar to the Euro 2020 final. However, three pitch invaders managed to disrupt the opening minutes of the game, taking photos with players like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.

 

Ancelotti, who felt “like a lion” before the match, saw his side struggle initially, with Dortmund dominating the first 45 minutes. However, the decision to start Courtois, making his first Champions League appearance of the season after a serious knee injury, proved crucial as the Belgian kept his side in the game.

 

Dortmund’s best chances fell to Adeyemi, whose pace troubled Carvajal, but Madrid’s defense held firm. Fuellkrug also came close, hitting the post, while Courtois made key saves to keep Dortmund at bay.

 

Madrid found their rhythm in the second half. Kroos tested Gregor Kobel with a free-kick, and Bellingham narrowly missed converting a cross from Vinicius. Carvajal's header from a Kroos corner proved decisive, and Vinicius sealed the victory with a powerful shot despite Kobel's efforts.

 

Bellingham, who joined Madrid from Dortmund a year ago, had a bittersweet homecoming as his pass set up Vinicius for the second goal, ending Dortmund's hopes of a comeback.