Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund to win Champions League with Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr the heroes

Dani Carvajal

Real Madrid have beaten Borussia Dortmund to win the Champions League for the 15th time

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 01/06/2024

- 22:03

Updated: 01/06/2024

- 22:07

The LaLiga giants have conquered European football's biggest competition once again

Real Madrid weren't at their swashbuckling, scintillating best in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night.

But they typically secured victory to claim European football's biggest prize, with Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr both on target at Wembley.


It was a close contest in the capital, played out in front of a stunning atmosphere.

Fans from both sides rallied behind their teams, creating one almighty ddin in the biggest contest of them all.

Vinicius Jr

Vinicius Jr celebrates scoring for Real Madrid in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund

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And while Real Madrid may lack the superstars of old, they showed they're still the team to beat with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Edin Terzic's side.

It was stalwart Carvajal who struck first, with the Spain international rising to head home a pinpoint delivery from Toni Kroos in the 74th minute.

Carvajal isn't the tallest footballer in the world.

But he took his header excellently, breaking the deadlock and giving Real a lead to cling on to.

And when Vinicius Jr struck in the dying stages, it broke Dortmund hearts and dashed their hopes of glory.

It was hard on Dortmund who, for the most part, were the better team.

Just like when they lost to Bayern Munich in 2013, however, they couldn't find the goal that would make all their dreams come true.

They should have gone ahead early in the match, with Julian Brandt putting an effort wide.

Karim Adeyemi then started to grow into the contest and, when he went round Thibaut Courtois, appeared destined to score.

Yet the 22-year-old's poor touch let him down, with Carvajal able to clear.

Niclas Fullkrug also went close for Dortmund, with the Germany interational hitting the post.

Had it gone in, the match could have been entirely different.

Dortmund continued to create the better chances in the first half, with Thibaut Courtois saving from a low drive from Adeyemi.

The Real goalkeeper, who has missed most matches this season due to injury, then made another superb shot to deny Marcel Sabitzer.

After the interval, Real showed signs of improvement. Carlo Ancelotti, loved by all of his players, clearly sparked better from his side.

Dani Carvajal Real Madrid

Dani Carvajal headed Real Madrid in front against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final

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Kroos, playing his last match in club football ahead of his retirement this summer, tested Gregor Kobel with a free kick.

It always felt inevitable the Real midfielder would have a huge say in the match given everything he's achieved throughout his career.

And Kroos' corner was superbly headed home by Carvajal in the 74th minute to send Real fans inside Wembley into a state of ecstasy.

Dortmund, as a result, started to soar forward more.

And that left space for Real to exploit, with Vinicius Jr using his searing speed to get in behind before beating Kobel with a composed finish.

Vinicius Jr

Vinicius Jr celebrates scoring for Real Madrid in their Champions League final win at Wembley

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Dortmund thought they'd pulled one up when Fullkrug headed home past Courtois.

Yet the goal was unfortunately chalked off for offside, with Real then proceeding to close out the match.

They don't have Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale any more.

Soon they won't have Kroos either.

But Real are champions of Europe for a record-extending 15th time and, for all the changes at the club over the past few years, remain the biggest - and best - side in world football.

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