Dani Carvajal started Real Madrid’s Champions League final fun, and Vinicius Jr sealed it, the duo grabbing a goal each as Los Blancos wrapped up yet another European Cup despite turning in a mostly tepid performance.
The score was deadlocked for over 70 minutes, but Madrid found a groove late and were ultimately secure in their 2-0 win.
Dortmund had the first big chance of the game, Karim Adeyemi rounding Thibaut Courtois – making his first Champions League start of the season – before seeing his shot put out for a corner from a tight angle. They could have scored again shortly after, but Niclas Fullkrug put an effort off the post.
Madrid, for their part, created little in the first half, and ended the opening 45 minutes without a shot on target. in the end, they only needed one chance. Carvajal drifted to the near post and met Toni Kroos’ corner in stride, nodding past a hopeless keeper to give Los Blancos a 1-0 lead with 20 minutes to play.
The game opened up soon after, and Los Blancos always looked like getting a second. Vinicius provided it, taking Jude Bellingham’s pass in stride and tucking an effort into the bottom corner to seal Madrid’s 15th Champions League trophy.
GOAL rates Real Madrid’s players from Wembley..
Goalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (8/10):
Made a big save off Adeyemi in the first half. Provided a few more as the game wore on. Immense on the biggest of stages.
Dani Carvajal (9/10):
Scored the decisive goal, turned in a solid defensive showing when needed. Hero.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Undone by the long-ball once or twice, but grew in confidence.
Nacho (6/10):
A mostly conservative defensive performance – he and Rudiger didn’t handle Fullkrug particularly well.
Ferland Mendy (6/10):
Engaged in an intriguing battle with Sancho. Rarely beaten off the dribble, but didn’t marshall space particularly effectively.
Midfield
Toni Kroos (8/10):
An absolute joy to watch in his final club game. Forced an impressive save from a free-kick in the second half. Assisted the winner. What a way to go out.
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
Flew into tackles, was always up for his 1v1 duels, provided some attacking thrust, too.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Had to do a lot of covering for Carvajal, who basically played as a right-winger for most of proceedings.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
Not really in the game in the first 45 minutes. Better in the second, and was denied of a goal by an immense block. Assisted the crucial second.
Attack
Rodrygo (4/10):
Anonymous throughout. His form has really tailed off in recent weeks.
Vinicius Jr (8/10):
Took a bit to get going, but had some impactful moments when he did. Scored the crucial second. The best in the world?
Subs & Manager
Luka Modric (N/A):
Not a bad sub.
Joselu (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Eder Militao (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Lucas Vazquez (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
Didn’t change much, and went with his strongest available XI. His team played with fire for long stretches, and didn’t put together a particularly convincing performance. Still, he deserves credit for sticking to his guns and having faith that the signature Madrid voodoo would work out. Inevitable, in the end.
