Real Madrid withstood a relentless onslaught from Borussia Dortmund to clinch their 15th Champions League title, securing a 2-0 victory at Wembley on Saturday thanks to late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior.
The breakthrough came when right-back Carvajal headed in from a Toni Kroos corner in the 74th minute. Vinicius Junior then sealed the win, firing into the far corner, further solidifying Madrid's status as the most successful club in Champions League history.
This triumph marks Madrid's ninth consecutive European Cup final win and their sixth title in the last 11 seasons. However, the path to victory wasn't without its challenges, as underdogs Dortmund were left to rue their missed opportunities in the first half. Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post, and Karim Adeyemi failed to convert a one-on-one chance against Thibaut Courtois.
Despite the pressure, Madrid once again demonstrated their knack for finding a way to prevail in Europe's premier competition. The victory also saw Carvajal, Kroos, Nacho, and Luka Modric join Real legend Paco Gento as the only players to win the European Cup six times.
Carlo Ancelotti extended his record as the most successful coach in Champions League history, celebrating his fifth title.
A record number of more than 2,500 stewards were deployed at Wembley to prevent a repeat of the violent incidents that marred the Euro 2020 final, where ticketless fans stormed the gates. However, the security operation faced scrutiny as three pitch invaders managed to enter the field during the opening minutes, with one even taking photos with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius.
Ancelotti, who mentioned feeling "like a lion" after an afternoon nap, witnessed his team struggle in the first 45 minutes. Dortmund, backed by thousands of traveling fans, dominated the early stages but ultimately could not capitalize on their chances.
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