Mounting what was a sensational Champions League comeback on Tuesday night, Real Madrid clinched what was a pulsating 5-2 victory against Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu.
In what was a repeat of last season’s European final, it was BVB who stormed their way into an astonishing 2-0 lead as Donyell Malen and Englishman Jamie Gittens silenced the home support in Madrid.
However, looking to defend their record-breaking 15th European crown this season, Carlo Ancelotti’s side mounted what will long be remembered as an iconic Champions League comeback on home soil.
Watching ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger power his header home in the 60th minute, the floodgates quickly opened as Los Blancos and their all-star attack ran rampant.
With Brazilian superstar Vinius Junior dragging Madrid level just a couple of minutes after Rudiger’s header, captain Lucas Vavquez completed the turnaround thanks to a clinical finish in the 83rd minute.
Claiming an immediate Champions League response here, Vinicius eventually left the Bernabeu with a famous European hat-trick as the 24-year-old bagged a late brace.
On a night when Los Blancos once again flexed their Champions League muscle, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Tuesday’s epic showdown.
Madrid eventually get their European response
Suffering what was a shock 1-0 loss away at French outfit Lille last month, Real Madrid had made it abundantly clear that they were seeking an immediate Champions League response when they return to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night.
While the former AC Milan boss might have looked visibly frustrated by his side’s lacklustre display during the first-half, Ancelotti’s superstar squad laid down what was a major statement after returning from the interval.
Getting the defence of their Champions League campaign underway with a 3-0 victory against German outfit Stuttgart last month, Tuesday’s hosts have their sights firmly set on shattering even more records this season.
Eventually overcoming what could have been a potential banana skin on home soil, Ancelotti’s superstar squad have suffered just a single defeat across any format since opening up the new campaign.
Looking to use their remarkable second-half romp as a platform to build on, Los Blancos have another iconic challenge on their hands when they meet arch-rivals Barcelona in the first El Classico of the season.
Vinicius underlines his Ballon d’Or credentials
While Kylian Mbappe’s historic move to Madrid might have sent shockwaves across the footballing globe, it is another one of Ancelotti’s striking superstars who find themselves sat firmly in the driving seat to claim a maiden Ballon d’Or crown next week.
Cementing his spot as the poster boy in the white half of Madrid and spearheading Los Blancos’ charge to an iconic double-winning campaign last season, the Brazilian ace has only continued on from where he left off prior to the summer break.
Once again haunting Dortmund after finding the net at Wembley back on June 1st, Vinicius tore the German giants to shreds on Tuesday night and eventually left the Bernabeu with the match ball following a remarkable second-half display.
Putting in another Man of the Match performance here and with the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony set to take place next week, the 24-year-old is widely regarded to be the hottest attacking commodity in world football.
Leading Ancelotti’s charge with a devastating display here, Vinicius has now registered five goals in his previous three appearances across all competitions on either side of October’s international break.
More defensive issues for BVB
Springing what was an almighty first-half upset here and heading into the interval with a sensational 2-0 advantage, Borussia Dortmund looked like they were going to collect some immediate revenge following on from their Champions League final heartbreak at Wembley on June 1st.
However, although Nuri Sahin’s men might have came flying out of the traps when opening their European adventure last month, the one-time Real Madrid midfielder will be concerned by what was an infamous collapse at the Bernabeu.
While BVB might have got October underway with a 7-1 romp against Scottish giants Celtic, last season’s finalists have continued to show some extended defensive issues.
Shipping three goals in the final 10 minutes on Tuesday night and enduring what was a real capitulation under the bright lights, Sahin’s side have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
Coming under real scrutiny last month as they slumped to a 5-1 drumming away at Stuttgart, Dortmund have also now shipped 12 goals in just their previous three showdowns outside of rural Germany.
Match Report
Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Valverde, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Guler, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Ceballos
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini, Nmecha, Sabitzer, Malen, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens, Guirassy
Subs: Can, Gross, Anton, Beier
Goals: Real Madrid: Rudiger (60’), Vinicius Junior (62’, 86’, 90+3’), Vazquez (83’) – Borussia Dortmund: Malen (30’), Bynoe-Gittens (34’)
Yellow Cards: Vinicius Junior
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Istvan Kovacs
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