Borussia Dortmund robbery caught by Real Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund put in a tough fight against Real Madrid during the Champions League final, giving them a run for their money in the first 60 minutes. However, Real Madrid woke up and showcased their signature performance when it mattered most.
Real Madrid has left the entire Bundesliga competition behind: Union Berlin (in the group stage), RB Leipzig (in the round of 16), Bayern Munich (in the semifinals), and finally Borussia Dortmund. But the celebratory meal at Wembley Stadium didn't sit well with the Champions for long. It wasn't until after about 60 minutes that Real felt fully satisfied and ready to feast. With a 2-0 win, Madrid emerged victorious from this unexpected battle. Toni Kroos bade farewell to a club with six Champions League titles under its belt. He has participated in seven finals, losing one of them. His first loss was with Bayern Munich against Chelsea in 2012.
Another loss, especially in the last game as a club player, seemed like a strong possibility. Maybe even a certainty. But in the end, it turned out to be unlikely. Because Real Madrid is Real Madrid. They're known for overcoming any hurdles, rising from the ashes and becoming the feared beast everyone dreads. Like a great white shark in a frenzy, they excel at striking fear into their opponents.
At Wembley, during their surprise return after 11 years, it didn't seem like this giant shark could truly display its fangs. However, everyone involved could feel the tension building up. By the end of the first half, Dortmund seemed like they were in the lead. Real was even penned in. Only the goals were missing. What a stunning first half! Regardless of all the speculation that Real would dominate this matchup and leave Dortmund in the dust, Real was living on the edge. One leg was hanging dangerously off the cliff. But if anyone could maintain their balance in this deadly dance, it's Real Madrid. "Real never dies" comes to mind. And they were right.
Adeyemi misses a golden chance
Mats Hummels set the stage with a brilliant pass to Karim Adeyemi, who was free and clear, but his attempt at scoring fell short (21st minute). Earlier, Julian Brandt had missed an opportunity of his own (14th minute). A response from Real? Nope. Ian Maatsen found Niclas Füllkrug, but couldn't muster a goal (23rd minute). A response from Real? Nope. Adeyemi connected with the ball, but Courtois made a timely save, and Füllkrug couldn't find the net with the rebound (28th minute). A response from Real? Nope. Then Julian Brandt took a shot from a distance (41st minute), Courtois got in the way. Dortmund had the chances, but Real had little to show for it. Vinicius Junior provided sporadic moments of excitement with his mesmerizing dribbling. For instance, when Hummels tackled the Brazilian with a heroic effort, preventing any real damage and immediately showing his disapproval.
Ultimately, it was a disappointing night for Borussia Dortmund, who dreamed of a better outcome after their spectacular performances in the Champions League. In spite of their valiant efforts, they couldn't match Real Madrid's experience and skill. They came close, but fell just short against a team known for its tenacity and unmatched expertise.
For Real Madrid, this conquest is their sixth Champions League trophy, adding another feather to their cap and reinforcing their status as one of the most successful clubs in European football history. They showed their resilience and determination once again, proving they're a force to be reckoned with in the game of football.
The Dortmund players had arrived at Wembley with the intention of stealing the crown. They had unfurled a massive banner over their section, spelling out a crown that seemed to be matching the legendary Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Above it read: "We've returned to steal the crown." According to coach Edin Terzic, they were playing against their ultimate "enemy." His strategy was working perfectly until the break. Dortmund had even grazed the protective cases of the Waterloo Barracks. Carlo Ancelotti, the composed strategist, was seeking a solution. In constant communication with his son Davide, the assistant coach, they devised a plan to capture the thief.
The grasp on the coup wasn't grabbed by BVB. Real Madrid had been alerted to the danger. In the second half, Ancelotti's Real Madrid team woke up. After the 60th minute, Real was there and the Dortmund, who had taken Real out of the game in the first hour, became increasingly exhausted. Energies had been expended. And in the crucial moment during the final run, the battery ran out. In the 49th minute, Kroos had already checked out how aware BVB's Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was. Kobel parried the free kick of the German with strength.
"But they didn't do us in," claimed the young Englishman, Jude Bellingham, who had rapidly developed into a world star and hurriedly departed from the club the previous summer. "We need to admit that Dortmund was the better team in the first half, they could've been up 2:0 or 3:0. But they didn't do us in, which means we had the chance to come back." "I'm fond of both teams," he added. "I have a lot of respect for Dortmund. I'll always be thankful for what the club provided me. It's a bummer it had to be this direct confrontation, but that's just how football can be at times."
The balance had swung. "We missed the opportunity to score a goal and then had a goal scored against us," lamented Hummels. "That's what they often do, it's also a kind of quality." Real, in truth, possesses this unfathomable final quality. They had not lost a European final since 1981. Back then, Madrid lost to Vicente del Bosque, the future world champion, European champion, and Champions League winner, and German legend Uli Stielike, 0:1 against Liverpool. The left-back Alan Kennedy had scored after 83 minutes.
For a while, Real wasn't allowed to seize control at Wembley. Sancho committed a blunder, a corner for Madrid. Kroos initiated the attack, the nimble Carvajal outran Maatsen, and Füllkrug arrived too late, the perfect header went astray (74.). Real flipped the script, Bellingham hastily arranged the equipment in front of the aluminum. Camavinga and Nacho attempted to make the final call, but they missed. Then Vinicius Junior expertly struck into the heart of the BVB, 2:0 (83.).
Ancelotti hints at Kroos considering a U-turn on his retirement decision
Two minutes later, an epoch-making period came to a close: Kroos left, and this was his final appearance as a club footballer. In a few days, he'll go to the national team and conclude his career. Kroos grinned, looking relieved. No more tears this time. Not like the previous week when he said goodbye to the Bernabeu. The stadium lay at his feet and his children made him weep. The tough Toni Kroos had turned soft. Now, David Alaba had his arm around his neck. They were joking. It had gone smoothly. "Of course, I wanted to bid farewell to winning the Champions League one last time," he said during ZDF, in an interview with Nils Kaben. "This trophy means a lot to me."
Yes, there was something there, the heated interview in 2022, the "You had 90 minutes to think about your responses" moment. But this time, everything remained positive and calm. "The pivotal thing was not allowing a goal in the first half. That was a possibility. It took a long time for us to be the superior team."
And thus, the most successful career in German football was brought to a close. Even if they don't want to concede it in Madrid yet. Ancelotti has hinted at Kroos reconsidering his retirement decision. "We'd be delighted if he changed his mind, and if he does, we'll be there." But what Kroos had most recently dismissed was this retirement reversal. "No, that's firm," he said on DAZN. There won't be any more reverse roles like his return to the German national team in March. "Antonio (Rüdiger) has already done it with the national team. The national coach also. That should be enough." Kroos added: "My children are divided on the issue. So the family wanting me to be at home more has won."
