Real Madrid achieved a historic milestone by winning the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0, and clinching their 15th title, a record. Real Madrid earned a place in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup against which they won the first FIFA Intercontinental Cup. They had already qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, so Dortmund got their spot through UEFA rankings. The match occurred at a full Wembley Stadium, highlighting the team’s strength and ability to excel under pressure.
This game concluded the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League, the 69th season of UEFA’s top club football tournament, and the 32nd since it changed from the European Champion Clubs’ Cup to the UEFA Champions League. The hosting schedule was modified due to the 2020 final’s postponement and relocation, leading to London hosting the 2024 final.
This championship concluded the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, which was the 69th season of Europe’s supreme tournament in club football, and the 32nd since being rebranded from the European Champion Clubs’ Cup to the UEFA Champions League. Hosting the finals in London formed part of the new schedule necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Wembley was originally meant to hold the final in 2020, but after that final was relocated and postponed, it has now been awarded the 2024 final.
Real Madrid added to their glorious European history, furthering their nobility as the standard-bearers of club football. The victory was not only a measure of tactical and personnel superiority, but it also threw light on an almost unparalleled consistency in Europe’s most challenging competition. The final for Borussia Dortmund was, indeed, another major success since it attested to their revival of sorts on the European stage. In many ways, they fell short, but their performance throughout the season attested to their potential at the top level. The match itself was nothing less than a celebration of European football, interweaving history, drama, and the very best into what must surely be the grandest stage.
Finalizing the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League will be an exciting final on 1 June 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London, when Real Madrid scored 2–0 over Borussia Dortmund to win their 15th European Cup/Champions League title, added to the record books.
The Road to the Final for Real Madrid:
Group stage: Real Madrid was drawn in Group C together with Napoli, Braga, and Union Berlin and proved invincible coming out of it by winning all six matches. Notably, those victories included a 3–2 away win at Napoli and a 3–0 home victory over Braga.
Round of 16: An away win of 1-0 was followed by a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig as Madrid advanced with a 2-1 aggregate.
Quarter-finals: After a first-leg match that ended in a tie of 3-3 at the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid met Manchester City again. The second ended also by a tie to 1 after extra time, and when the penalty was taken, Madrid triumphed and made it into the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: Against Bayern Munich, Madrid drew 2-2 in the first leg in Munich. At home, they then managed to win the second leg with 2 enough points to reach the final on a 4-3 aggregate.
Borussia Dortmund’s Road to the Final:
Group Stage: Dortmund took up the gauntlet and emerged from the intense Group F with Paris Saint-Germain, Milan, and Newcastle United as strong group winners. Notable match results included an away win against Newcastle by 1–0, and a home victory against Milan at San Siro, with a score of 3–1.
Round of 16: In the knockout stage, Dortmund met PSV Eindhoven – the first leg ended 1-1 away while the second saw them win 2-0 at home, qualifying them to the quarterfinal draw, 3-1 on aggregate.
Quarter-finals: Dortmund had a great run qualifying for the semis; they were up against Atletico Madrid, where they went down 2-1 in the first round at the Vicente Calderon Stadium but responded well at Signal Iduna Park beating the Spanish side 4-2 in the second leg and 5-4 overall.
Semi-finals: It faced Paris Saint Germain again, beating the French side in both encounters by 1-0, thus advancing to their first UEFA Champions League final in eleven years with a 2-0 aggregate score.
In the final, Real Madrid sealed a tie of 2-0 against Borussia Dortmund, with goals from their two players, Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior. This victory made it Madrid’s 6th title in the Champions League in 11 years, further establishing them as the best club in Europe.
For Real Madrid
Legacy:
Winning their 15th Champions League title made Real Madrid’s claim as the most successful club in European history even stronger.
Tactical Mastery:
Yet again Carlo Ancelotti showed that he can adapt, not just to the event but also to his rivals, thus securing his legacy as one of the greatest managers of the game.
Future Outlook:
This victory has set an admirable precedent for Madrid when they look forward to achieving more success at the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Emerging new stars like Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo form a bright future for the club.
For Borussia Dortmund
European Revival:
Dortmund’s run to the final may have brought more glory, but it also ambushed the revival of their self-esteem as a European giant.
Young Talent:
Karim Adeyemi, Jude Bellingham, and others proved their worth on the biggest possible stage.
Motivation:
Learning curve. Imposing the club to be stronger and more focused to do better in future competitions and be consistent in European contests.
Classic Final: Dortmund’s Initial Dominance and Madrid’s Late Comeback.
The Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Madrid was an exciting event from beginning to end, filled with strategic plays, missed chances, and brilliant moments. The match took place at Wembley Stadium, where Madrid claimed their 15th Champions League title with a thrilling 2-0 win.
Dortmund started strong, pressing high and forcing mistakes from Madrid. They had several opportunities to score, with Adeyemi and Brandt testing Courtois. A key moment in the first half was when Fullkrug hit the post, keeping the score level. Madrid struggled at first, struggling with possession and showing defensive weaknesses.
As the first half progressed, Real Madrid began to find their rhythm. Kroos and Valverde took control in midfield, while Vinícius Jr. became a constant threat on the counterattack. However, they couldn’t convert their chances, and the half ended without any goal.
In the second half, Madrid stepped up their game, showing the resilience that defines them in Europe. The turning point came in the 74th minute when Dani Carvajal scored with a header from a Kroos corner, breaking the deadlock. This goal energized Madrid, while Dortmund found it hard to regroup. Just ten minutes later, Vinícius Jr. finished a quick attack with a calm shot past Kobel, sealing the victory.
Dortmund’s efforts to come back were dealt with by Madrid’s solid defense and Courtois’ assured performance. Their disallowed goal in the 87th minute due to offside added to their frustration. In the final moments, Madrid expertly managed the game, making substitutions to maintain control.
Overview of two halves
Borussia Dortmund took control of the game in the first half, showing confidence against the seasoned Real Madrid team. Niclas Füllkrug nearly scored when his shot hit the post, causing a stir among Madrid fans. Despite their lively play, Dortmund failed to convert their opportunities, and the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Real Madrid, under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, weathered the initial storm and regrouped during the break. The second half revealed a transformed Madrid, showcasing calmness and precision. Dani Carvajal broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, scoring his first Champions League goal in five years after a swift counterattack that exploited Dortmund’s defensive lapse.
Just 17 minutes later, Vinícius Jr. sealed the win with a spectacular goal. Renowned for his key performances in important matches, the Brazilian forward once again delivered, reinforcing Madrid’s reputation as Europe’s top football club.
Key performances
Carvajal and Vinícius Jr. scored goals, but Real Madrid’s win was a team effort. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made important saves during Dortmund’s strong first-half push. In the later stages, Toni Kroos managed the game’s pace, helping Madrid keep their lead.
Despite the loss, Dortmund received praise for their energetic play. Jude Bellingham, a former Dortmund player now with Real Madrid, played a key role in midfield, demonstrating his growth into one of the best talents in the world.
Highlights of the Match
- Dortmund’s Dominant Start: Dortmund began the game with high intensity, pressing Real Madrid and creating early chances, including a close effort from Fullkrug that struck the post. Adeyemi and Brandt were instrumental in putting Madrid under pressure.
- Madrid’s Slow Start: Real Madrid struggled in the opening half, with disjointed passing and defensive vulnerabilities. However, players like Kroos and Valverde gradually gained control as the half progressed.
- Goalless First Half: Despite Dortmund’s dominance and Madrid’s occasional counterattacks, the first half ended 0-0, setting the stage for an intriguing second half.
- Carvajal’s Breakthrough Goal: In the 74th minute, Dani Carvajal headed home from a Toni Kroos corner, giving Madrid the crucial opening goal and shifting the momentum.
- Vinícius Jr.’s Decisive Strike: Ten minutes later, Vinícius Jr. displayed his brilliance with a composed finish past Dortmund’s goalkeeper Kobel, doubling Madrid’s lead and effectively securing the victory.
- Dortmund’s Disallowed Goal: In the 87th minute, Dortmund found the back of the net, but Fullkrug’s effort was ruled offside, dashing their hopes of a late comeback.
- Madrid’s Defensive Mastery: Courtois and the Madrid defense remained solid, thwarting Dortmund’s attempts to regain control in the closing minutes.
- Historic Victory for Madrid: The 2-0 win marked Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title, highlighting their tactical adaptability, experience, and standout performances from key players like Vinícius Jr., Carvajal, and Courtois.
Tactical Analysis
Dortmund’s Strength in the First Half
Dortmund employed high pressing and fast transitions in the beginning so that they could capitalize on the slow starts typical of Madrid. With a shot in the 28th minute by Füllkrug ringing off the post, opportunities were created by him along with Julian Brandt. This trio was composed of Can, Brandt, and Özcan, dominating possession and putting Madrid on the back foot.
Despite all that pressure from Dortmund on the opposing defence, the firm organization of the backline composed of Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba prevented anything past that last barrier. Thibaut Courtois made some decisive saves, which saw to it that the two teams went into halftime level on the scoresheet.
Daziinta: The Real Madrid Masterclass Conducted in the Second Half
In a very dramatic way, Carlo Ancelotti’s half-time interventions made things possible for his side. Madrid’s midfield, featuring the talents of Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde, began taking control of the game.
Breaking The Deadlock:
In the 74th minute, a rare but crucial goal from Dani Carvajal was added to Madrid when he nodded home a Toni Kroos corner. The goal inspired Madrid but left Dortmund bereft of momentum.
Sealing the Victory:
Ten minutes later, Vinícius Jr. scored with a superb finish after a rapid counter-attack to double Madrid’s lead. It truly a sign of his maturity as one of the finest strikers in the world, it showed how well he has matured in terms of composure and when needed, as he has shown before.
The Champion of Europe
Real Madrid’s victory in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final strengthened their status as the dominant force in European football. Overcoming Borussia Dortmund earned them not only their 15th European title but also highlighted their knack for excelling in high-pressure situations.
The match, staged at the legendary Wembley Stadium, was an exhilarating event that drew the attention of football enthusiasts around the globe. While Dortmund initially controlled the game and squandered several chances, Real Madrid displayed remarkable resilience and precision in their finishing. The second half featured a revitalized Madrid squad, with goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior sealing the deal.
This win adds yet another illustrious chapter to Real Madrid’s storied legacy, reinforcing their reputation as one of the greatest clubs in history. and FIFA Club World Cup, fans can look forward to more electrifying performances and the possibility of additional silverware.