Real Madrid win the Champions League: A stunning victory over Borussia Dortmund shows why they are the kings of Europe....
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| Both teams ready |
Borussia Dortmund will wonder how this happened, but they need only ask Bayern Munich. Manchester City might also be listening. The eliminated finalists have just received a slap in the face from this Real Madrid side.
Bayern were in the lead until the 88th minute of the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu and believed they were heading to Wembley. City took 33 shots in the quarter-final second leg but still lost on penalties.
For Dortmund, the moment came and went in the first 45 minutes of this Champions League final. Edin Terzic's team put seven of their eight shots on goal from inside the penalty area. "We just couldn't score," Terzic said after the match. "That's the key."
You'd wonder how Borussia Dortmund got to this, but just ask Bayern Munich. Manchester City might not listen either; the defeated finalists just received a slap in the face from Real Madrid.
Bayern held on until the 88th minute of the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu and still believed they would go to Wembley. City had 33 shots in the quarter-final second leg but still lost on penalties.
For Dortmund, moments came and went in the first 45 minutes of this Champions League final. Edin Terzic's team scored seven of their eight shots from inside the penalty area. "We just couldn't score," Terzic said after the match. "That's the key."
Two chances in particular will haunt them. Karim Adeyemi tried to get past Thibaut Courtois, which made the chance even more difficult. Niklas Hulkluk beat the goalkeeper but couldn't beat the far post. It was three minutes when the story passed them by.
It's a strange feeling that every time Dortmund comes close to a goal, the certainty that Real Madrid will win grows. That's how much they have in control of their thoughts, that is, how much they have in control of this cup now. 15th European Champions
No other club has won the cup so often. Only AC Milan has won it more times than they have in the last ten years alone. Dortmund will regret his decisiveness. But Madrid was sure of it.
Dortmund looked passive for long periods, but their early dominance created gaps in Madrid's defense that would have worried other teams. But conceding a goal might not have shaken their belief. Dortmund were indecisive
They say finals are to be won, not played in, but this Madrid team has enough tough winners to stay focused on the prize even as the pressure mounts. It seemed especially fitting that Dani Carvajal was named Player of the Match.
Paco Gento's six European Cup wins are legendary, a mythical total that seemed seemingly unattainable after a quarter century had passed without the team defending the trophy. There are currently four players in this Real Madrid squad who have won it six times.
The two scored the opening goals together. In the final club game of his career, Toni Kroos crossed for Carvajal, who headed in the goal. It had been nine years since the 32-year-old full-back last scored in the competition. But this group of players has a habit of picking their moments.
Look at Courtois. It was his first Champions League appearance of the season and he has returned to the limelight after four appearances and four clean sheets since recovering from a serious knee injury. He was again flawless and unbeatable.
Jude Bellingham struggled for much of the game, a muscle strain showing he was not fully fit, but after assisting the second goal he dropped to the ground and cried tears of joy. He described it as the best night of his young life.
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| 2024 Champions league winners |
