LONDON – Wembley Stadium witnessed another historic night as Real Madrid triumphed over Borussia Dortmund to claim their 15th UEFA Champions League title. The iconic venue was filled with over 86,000 fervent fans, eagerly anticipating a thrilling showdown between the Spanish and German giants.
The buildup to the final was intense, marked by significant police activity. Spanish police seized over 36,000 fake football kits in an extensive crackdown on counterfeit merchandise. In London, the atmosphere was tense as over 2,000 police officers were deployed to ensure the safety of the event. According to BBC News, police faced multiple challenges, including managing a rally organised by a far-right group that concluded just before the match with numerous groups known for football violence gathering in nearby bars. Over 50 individuals were arrested for attempting to enter the stadium without tickets, and five more were detained after trying to invade the pitch shortly after kickoff.
18th appearance for Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund, in their first Champions League final since 2013, faced a formidable opponent in Real Madrid, who were making their 18th final appearance. The match began with Dortmund kicking off, but Real Madrid quickly took control of the ball. The first 20 minutes were filled with action, as both teams created chances but failed to deliver any real threats on goal.
Dortmund dominated the next ten minutes, with two near misses, including a shot that narrowly hit the post and a crucial save by Real Madrid’s Courtois. The intensity of the match was evident as three yellow cards were issued – two to Dortmund and one to Real Madrid – before the first half ended goalless.
Second half
The second half resumed with renewed vigor. Dortmund came close to scoring again with another save by Courtois, but it was Real Madrid who began to assert their dominance. In the 74th minute, the breakthrough came when Carvajal, assisted by Kroos, scored from a corner to put Real Madrid ahead. Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham had a deflected shot four minutes later.
As the match entered its final stages, Real Madrid’s pressure intensified. In the 83rd minute, a brilliant play saw Bellingham intercept a pass and send it to Vinicius Junior, who left-footed the ball past Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Kobel, to double Real Madrid’s lead. Dortmund’s Füllkrug managed to find the net in the 87th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Victory for Real Madrid
Despite five minutes of added time, Dortmund could not overturn the deficit. Real Madrid’s experience and clinical finishing secured a 0-2 victory, earning them their 15th Champions League title.