The merengues brought out their cupero lineage to party in London. Suffering in the first half, they changed their face in the second half to win 2-0 against a bold Borussia Dortmund. The most successful player in the Champions League extends his hegemony, led by Carlo Ancelotti.
At Wembley, a setting as imposing as it is emblematic, the new king of Europe took the oath. Which more than Real Madrid. In the definition of the last Champions League with the current format (because from next season there will be a championship phase instead of groups), the meringues repeated a frequent scene: lifting the Orejona. They won 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund to win the fifteenth European Cup in its award-winning history.
The biggest club tournament in the world was going to have a final with very different teams. The collective strength of Germans versus the individual quality of Hispanics. On the one hand, the excitement of the “yellow wall” which adorns every BVB match. On the other, the weight of the shield and a shirt that breathes the scent of victory in every corner. And this inequality has also occurred in the history of the two countries in the competition. Madrid are the biggest winners, facing Dortmund who aspired to their second Orejona, in their third final.
London hosted a Germany – Spain final, which had not taken place in the Champions League for 22 years. Just like this confrontation between Real Madrid and Leverkusen in Glasgow, there too favoritism was on the side of the Merengue. Due to its Cupero lineage, among other aspects. With the surprise sign, Dortmund (fifth in the Bundesliga) had nothing to lose. And that’s how he played. Edin Terzic’s approach complicated the White House’s existence, which left some uncertainty about the future of football.
After the match was interrupted at the start, due to the invasion of certain “spontaneous” players on the field (not shown by the official broadcast), the audacity of the Germans was revealed. They did not hide and bet on speculation. They were superior in a first half which could have perfectly given the yellow team an advantage, and no one would have complained. The best chances of danger came from Borussia Dortmund. In the 21st minute, Adeyemi had it, who found himself without an angle when he took out Courtois. A few minutes later, Füllkrug scored, but his shot hit the post.
The German team, European champions in 1997, had learned the scenario and came out almost perfectly: effectively contain the rival and launch an attack. Counterattacks were textbook. This made Real Madrid uncomfortable, who had their goalkeeper as an important support. As in the 2022 final against Liverpool, the Belgian Courtois proved essential to his squad, causing the opposing attempts to abort. In the 27th minute, he stopped a shot from the very fast Adeyemi. Then he saved a shot from Sabitzer, in the 40th minute.
Meringues had their most passionate element in Fede Valverde. In the first 45 minutes, Rodrygo and Bellingham did not contribute to the match. Others already appeared in the supplement. During, Vinícius tried to lockpick always open on the left, face-to-face with the Ryerson rear.
Suffer and win
This superiority of the Germans was incomplete if the chances did not materialize. And against a rival like Madrid, who knows how to endure matches and then establish himself as the best boxer, that can be a sin. As such. It seems like a custom, but that’s how it is.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side improved markedly in the second half and steadily moved closer to Kobel’s goal. With the firepower he had, the goal was about to fall. Dortmund began to feel the physical and mental strain, and the White House sniffed it, pulled out its claws and put the shield on the table.
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Toni Kroos had a special day, because he played his last match with the meringues. At the time of farewell, he contributed with an assist to Dani Carvajal to open the scoring in the 74th minute. Corner and header. The 1-0 is a hard blow for the yellows, who are feeling the blow. Like a good boxer, Europe’s most successful boxer endured the hooks then got back up to win glory in a few blows. In the 83rd minute, Vinícius, in a superb second half, made it 2-0 to seal the victory.
Ancelotti has done it again. He won his fifth Champions League title. The creature’s father. His team may not be the most lyrical or brilliant, but they are very efficient and know how to win finals. And therein lies the glory. Cristiano, Benzema and Sergio Ramos are no longer there. Kroos won’t be there, but they continue to triumph. It’s the routine of the extraordinary. Simply, Real Madrid.
Match sheet
B.Dortmund : G. Kobel; J. Ryerson, M. Hummels, N. Schlotterbeck, I. Maatsen; M. Sabitzer, Emre Can (80′, D. Malen); J. Sancho (87′, J. Bynoe-Gittens), J. Brandt (81′, S. Haller), K. Adeyemi (72′, M. Reus); and N. Füllkrug. DT: E. Terzic.
real Madrid : T. Courtois; D. Carvajal, A. Rüdiger, Nacho, F. Mendy; F. Valverde, E. Camavinga, T. Kroos (86′, L. Modric); J. Bellingham (85′, Joselu); Rodrygo (90′, E. Militao) and Vinícius (90’+4′, L. Vázquez). Coach: C. Ancelotti.
Goals : 0-1, 74′, Carvajal, header after Kroos’ corner; 0-2, 83′, Vinícius, with a cross shot.
Arbitrator : S. Vincic (SVN). Warned Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Hummels (DOR); Vinicius (RM).
Wembley Stadium, London. 86,212 people participated.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
