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Real Madrid have once again asserted their dominance in European football, clinching their 15th Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund. The Spanish giants, led by Carlo Ancelotti, capped off a remarkable season with this prestigious win, adding it to their LaLiga triumph where they finished 10 points clear of Barcelona.
In a tightly contested final, Dortmund initially created more opportunities but failed to capitalize. It wasn’t until the 74th minute that Real Madrid broke the deadlock. Daniel Carvajal found the net with a well-placed header from a corner, sending the Madrid fans into a frenzy. The lead was doubled in the 83rd minute when Vinicius Junior coolly slotted the ball home following a defensive error by Dortmund, sealing the victory.
Carlo Ancelotti made history by becoming the first manager to win the European Cup/Champions League five times: 2003, 2007, 2014, 2022 and the latest 2024.
Moreover, this win adds to the legendary status of Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, and Nacho, making them the only players to have won six Champions League trophies.
Real Madrid’s path to the final was nothing short of spectacular. They navigated through the group stage with a perfect record, defeating Napoli, Braga, and Union Berlin. In the knockout stages, they edged past Leipzig 2-1 in the last 16 and showcased their defensive prowess against Manchester City in the quarter-finals, advancing after a dramatic penalty shootout. The semi-finals saw them overcome Bayern Munich, with Joselu scoring two late goals to secure their place in the final.
This triumph also marks a fitting farewell for Toni Kroos, who announced his retirement after Euro 2024. Kroos ends his illustrious career with six Champions League titles, five of which were won with Real Madrid, and one with Bayern Munich.
Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, experienced a bittersweet end to their inspiring European campaign. They topped a challenging group featuring Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan, and went on to eliminate PSV, Atletico Madrid, and PSG on their way to the final. Despite their impressive run in Europe, Dortmund’s domestic season was less successful, finishing fifth in the Bundesliga. However, thanks to the overall performance of German clubs in Europe, they secured a spot in next season’s Champions League.
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