Real Madrid are champions of Europe once more, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League final to secure their 15th victory in the prestigious tournament.
The Spanish giants, under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, added this triumph to their LaLiga title, where they finished 10 points clear of rivals Barcelona.
Despite Dortmund creating more chances in a tense encounter, Real Madrid finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute when Daniel Carvajal headed home from a corner. Vinicius Junior sealed the win in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error from Dortmund.
Real Madrid’s journey to the final began with a flawless group stage performance, winning all six matches against Napoli, Braga, and Union Berlin.
They then edged past Leipzig 2-1 in the last 16 and displayed superb defensive resilience against Manchester City in the quarter-finals, advancing after a penalty shootout. In the semi-finals, Joselu’s two late goals against Bayern Munich ensured their place in the final.
This victory marks a perfect farewell for legendary midfielder Toni Kroos, who is set to retire after Euro 2024. It is Kroos’s sixth Champions League title overall—his fifth with Madrid, adding to one with Bayern Munich.
For Borussia Dortmund, the loss is a heartbreaking end to an inspiring European campaign. After topping a challenging group with Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan, they eliminated PSV, Atletico Madrid, and the French champions on their way to the final.
Their domestic season, however, was less impressive, finishing fifth in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, due to German clubs’ performances in Europe, Dortmund will still qualify for next season’s Champions League.
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