Brilliant Vinicius leads Real to an epic win over Dortmund

Real Madrid made another furious comeback in the Champions League. Everything followed the classic Madrid script: an incomprehensible first half - and an incomparable second...

Before the break Borussia played almost perfectly - clearly controlling their defensive zones, boldly and sharply counterattacking, fighting with their opponents on every part of the pitch. Two goals scored within 4 minutes looked quite logical and were the result of quick and accurate actions in the opponent's penalty area.

In the second half Real came to life, gradually picking up pace. Dortmund's left wing of defence began to fail - that's where both Rüdiger and Vinicius' goals came from. After the score was equalised, there was little doubt that Real would take their lead, although the game calmed down somewhat.

In the 82nd minute Courtois somehow miraculously kicked the ball away after Bayer's shot. And then the Vinicius show began, as he netted a hat-trick. The second of his goals was a masterpiece: he ran 60 metres down the wing with the ball, evaded all contact, moved into the centre and hit the far corner.

On this night, Vini made the best bid for the 2024 Ballon d'Or he could think of.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Real - Borussia D 5:2 (0:2)
Goals: Malen, 30 (0:1); Bynoe-Gittens, 34 (0:2); Rudiger, 60 (1:2); Vinícius Júnior, 62 (2:2); Vazquez L., 83 (3:2); Vinícius Júnior, 86 (4:2); Vinícius Júnior, 93 (5:2)

Real: Courtois; Mendy Fe.; Militão; Rudiger; Vazquez L.; Modric (Camavinga, 71); Bellingham (Güler A., 90); Valverde F.; Mbappé (Dani Ceballos, 90); Vinícius Júnior; Rodrygo (Tchouaméni, 85)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Gonzalez Fran; Vallejo; García Fr.; Endrick

Borussia D: Kobel; Bensebaini; Süle; Ryerson (Can E., 76); Schlotterbeck N.; Bynoe-Gittens (Anton, 55); Brandt; Sabitzer; Nmecha F. (Beier M., 76); Malen (Groß, 64); Guirassy
Bench: Lotka; Meyer A.; Kabar; Мане Ф.; Azhil; Wätjen; Campbell C.