Real Madrid wins the UEFA Champions League final
[Real Madrid stadium. Photo credit to Unsplash]
In a thrilling match at Wembley Stadium, Real Madriad won over Borussia Dortmund to claim their 15th UEFA Champions League title.
The closely contested final saw Real Madrid emerge victorious with a 2-0 win, which marked another historic achievement for the Spanish giants.
The highly anticipated final kicked off on a sunny Sunday evening, with fans from both teams filling the iconic stadium to its capacity.
The atmosphere was electric as Real Madrid, aiming for their record-extending 15th European Cup, faced a strong Dortmund side eager to upset the odds.
The first half was marked by Dortmund’s dominance as they applied relentless pressure on the Real Madrid defense.
Despite several clear-cut opportunities, Dortmund failed to convert their chances into goals.
Real Madrid’s defense, led by the experienced captain Sergio Ramos, held firm, and the first half ended goalless.
As the second half began, Real Madrid started to create more opportunities to score.
However, Dortmund continued to dominate for the first 20 minutes.
The turning point came in the 65th minute when Dani Carvajal leaped high to head in a pinpoint cross from Luka Modric, giving Real Madrid a lead.
The goal shifted the momentum in favor of the Spanish side, and the atmosphere among the Madrid fans became ecstatic.
Dortmund, however, did not relent and continued to push forward in search of an equalizer.
Their hopes were dashed in the 75th minute when a costly error by defender Ian Maatsen gifted possession to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
The English midfielder quickly passed the ball to Vinícius Junior, who made no mistake in slotting it past the Dortmund goalkeeper.
The second goal all but sealed Real Madrid’s victory, and as the final whistle blew, the celebrations began.
The win not only added another illustrious chapter to Real Madrid’s history but also marked the fifth Champions League title for their esteemed manager, Carlo Ancelotti.
In a post-match interview, Ancelotti expressed his elation, saying, “It seems a dream. I’m really happy for sure. It was a really difficult game as usual. They played better in the first half, and we played better in the second half. We had a great season, winning the league and the cup. The atmosphere is extremely good in the dressing room. I have to thank the club and the players, they are humble with no ego in the dressing room. It was not difficult to manage them this season.”
Dortmund manager Edin Terzic, while disappointed, was gracious in defeat.
Terzic remarked, “Performance-wise, we played a great game but we found out why they are champions for the 15th time.
“We were here to win and I think it was very close and there were just small things missing. But congratulations to them. This is a proud moment. We brought 100,000 fans to London. They thought we could win it but it’s also a little empty because we could not make it. This is now the challenge. We need to keep the belief. In the world of sport, there is always a winner and a loser so no need to have any doubts and just to keep belief.”
Real Madrid’s victory was not only a testament to their quality and resilience but also highlighted their rich history in European competitions.
Their previous victories span decades, with triumphs in the 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1965-66, 1997-98, 1999-00, 2001-02, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2021-22, and now 2023-24 seasons.
This consistent success demonstrates their dominance in European football.
As Real Madrid fans celebrated long into the night, the team began to look forward to another season, hoping to continue their legacy of excellence.
- Eric Lee / Grade 7
- St.Johnsbury Academy Jeju