Real Madrid Claim Champions League Crown for 15th Time

Real Madrid Clinch Record with 15 Trophies

If Real Madrid reaches the UEFA Champions League final, it’s pretty much all she wrote for any of Los Blancos’ opponents. Since Los Blancos lost in the 1981 UCL final, Real Madrid has won its last nine final appearances. This time around, the UFL Final 2024 recap shows Los Blancos used a pair of second-half goals to take down Borussia Dortmund by 2-0, thanks to the goals of Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior.

It was a soul-crushing turn of events for the Black and Yellow. A year after missing out on the Bundesliga crown in a race that came down to the last match of the season, Dortmund finished in fifth place in domestic play. Dortmund winning its group in the Champions League standings before making a run to the final, was a big shock.

Dortmund lost in its first UCL final appearance in 11 years. The Black and Yellow’s streak without a title dates back to 1997. Here’s a look at what happened.

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The First Half Was Dortmund’s

Metrics are an excellent way of measuring performance and expected performance. But the Champions League stats don’t always match what the metrics say should have happened. If metric totals had determined matches, Dortmund would have had a significant lead in the half.

Real Madrid’s attack looked like it couldn’t keep up with the Black and Yellow. Los Blancos had a season-low two shots during the first half. None of Real Madrid’s efforts went on target. Anyone looking at the UCL Final 2024 recap will see Dortmund lamenting missed opportunities.

The Black and Yellow generated an expected goal, or xG, of 1.68 compared to Real Mardid’s .09. Dortmund launched eight shots toward the goal, while three of them went on target. Los Blancos was still dominant in possession, holding the ball for 64 percent of the match.

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Carvajal Breaks the Deadlock

During the second half, many people wondered if Real Madrid and Dortmund may be heading toward extra time. Neither side was getting many clean looks on the frame. People wagering on the match could bet on the over/under at .5 goal in regulation at around even money.

But people looking at the UCL Final 2024 recap will see that Los Blancos did what they had all season. When things were tight, Real Madrid found a goal. That ‘s how Los Blancos won La Liga. It’s how Real Madrid would win the UCL as well.

Dani Cavajal’s glancing header found its way to the back of the net in the 74 minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. Carvajal flicked the ball on at a perfect angle that the goalkeeper never got close to.

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Vinicius Junior Seals the Match

Borussia Dortmund started pressing as a result of the first goal. That’s when anyone looking at the UCL Final 2024 recap will see that the game opened up. Vinicius Junior was the beneficiary of a Dortmund mistake.

A lazy pass along the backline was stolen by Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham just outside the Dortmund goalkeeper’s box. He immediately slid a pass to Vinicius, who slotted the ball in the back of the net to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 83rd minute. The race was on for Dortmund after that.

Last Gasp Snuffed Out

Niclas Fullkrug looked like he had put Dortmund in a position for a comeback in the 87th minute. He snapped home a header from the center of the box that found the back of the net. However, Fullkrug’s celebration was short-lived.

The goal was almost immediately whistled back for offside. While the VAR check was done, it was clear that Dortmund’s goal had to be disallowed. It was a fun run for Dortmund, but Real Madrid showed why it has so many European championship trophies at home.