- Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League final at London’s Wembley Stadium.
- This means that “Los Blancos” are celebrating their 15th triumph in the premier class.
- Toni Kroos sets up the 1-0 goal in his last game for Real, Vinicius puts the finishing touches on it.
When Toni Kroos took the corner with a quarter of an hour to go, there was a very special Real magic in the air at Wembley Stadium. This feeling that the “Royals” are capable of great things at any time and under any circumstances. And indeed: in a CL final in which opponents Dortmund had been closer to the lead for long stretches, this magic of efficiency unfolded again. Kroos took the corner and Dani Carvajal, who is only 1.73 m tall, headed the ball past Gregor Kobel to make it 1-0. Before that, the Spaniard had only scored once in 88 CL matches.
The 90,000 spectators in London saw how Real now gained the upper hand. Kobel was able to distinguish himself again and again, keeping the Germans’ hopes alive. But BVB paid tribute to the open visor: Vinicius (83′) did not need to be asked twice after a mistake by Ian Maatsen in the penalty area and coolly scored the decisive 2-0.
Also because the supposed goal by Niclas Füllkrug was disallowed for offside, it was clear shortly afterwards: Real Madrid doesn’t play finals, it wins them – and is champion of the premier class for the 15th time! Without a single defeat in the entire campaign.
Kobel only has to intervene after 48 minutes
Real needed this ability to take a hit, for a long time there had been little sign of “La Decimoquinta”. Kobel was unemployed for the entire first half. After the break, the Swiss BVB keeper was able to distinguish himself with a free kick from Kroos (49th minute). Anyone who thought this was an offensive start from Real Madrid was wrong. The “Blancos” stood deep and waited for a counterattack. Things only became dangerous again when Kobel misjudged a cross and missed Jude Bellingham (69th minute).
Before the game, the BVB fans had demonstrated it in a gigantic choreography: they would steal the crown from the “Royals”. The players enthusiastically adopted this plan. Julian Brandt (14th) caused the first pulse to rise with a shot wide of the goal.
Between the 21st and 28th minutes, Borussia came very close to taking the lead three times. Karim Adeyemi ran past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois after a brilliant pass from Mats Hummels, but failed to save from a tight angle. Füllkrug hit the post (from a suspected offside position). And finally, the duo were once again thwarted by Courtois. The same was true of Marcel Sabitzer’s long-range attempt (41st).
For BVB, the wait for the first CL title since 1997 continues. Because once again the phrase “If you don’t score at the front, you’ll get it at the back” has proven true. And of course because of the unique Real magic.
Kroos and the thing with the ears: Perfect end to the “legend”
While Marco Reus (substituted in the 72nd minute) was denied a happy ending after 12 years at BVB, on the other hand “leyenda” Kroos ends his heroic epic with a fitting final chapter: with the 6th trophy (a record!) in his personal collection. Or as the German world champion himself once called the trophy: “This thing with two ears.”