UEFA Champions League Final, Real Madrid vs Dortmund Highlights: Madrid win 15th UCL title with 2-0 win at Wembley; Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr with the goals (2024)

The 2023/24 champions ?#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/XRhlm4SLFo

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2024

Toni Kroos and Marco Reus shared a moment together after their last dance ??? pic.twitter.com/4FHysKbv9A

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 1, 2024

TONI KROOS SAYS GOODBYE TO THE FANS! ? pic.twitter.com/1DovztqPbg

— TC (@totalcristiano) June 1, 2024

That's it!

No fairytale for Dortmund. It's the familiar sight we've gotten used to all too well. Real Madrid win a 15th UCL title. 15! The next best is AC Milan with 7. That's an ocean of distance between them and the rest. And tonight, they showed why they've come best on so many occasions. Having started on the backfoot in the first half, Madrid dispensed the opposition with ease in the second. Nothing spectacular, but everything about them was clinical. It finishes at Wembley with Dortmund 0-2 Madrid.

The fourth officials displays five minutes of added time. Madrid look like they can defend this lead all night. Carlo Ancelotti has barely flinched all throughout the game, even when Madrid seemed to be on the backfoot as Dortmund made surging runs, one after another, in the first half.

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Niklas Fullkrug manages to head one in but just as he runs away with the ball for a quick centre-kick, the referee blows his whistle. The linesman has raised his flag, the German was offside. He isn't happy but the visuals on broadcast concur as much.

Meanwhile, Toni Kroos gets a huge round of applause from the Madrid faithfuls in attendance at the Wembley. A deserved sent off as he comes off the pitch in what was his final game for Real Madrid. And what a fairytale ending it is for one of the club's greatest.

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Dreadful error from Ian Maatsen to give away the ball and Vinicius Jr. is free down the inside-left channel, wraps his foot around the ball and it's 2-0 Madrid.

Dortmund have crumbled under the pressure of the occasion and Madrid have pounced on them, the way they have on so many teams in the past. A record 15th title awaits.

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Mats Hummels gets booked for a foul just outside the box. He's the third Dortmund player to get a card this evening.

Toni Kroos has another go from distance, finds the target, and Kobel rises to deny him again. Do we have a lost and found department at Wembley? Where can we locate the Dortmund that showed up for the first half?

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Dortmund have barely had a chance to take a breather, and Jude Bellingham comes agonisingly close to making it 2-0.

Rodrygo racing to keep the ball in play ahead of the byline, pulling a pass back to Bellingham on the penalty spot. The midfielder winds up and looks to pass his shot into the bottom corner but a last-minute deflection takes it wide!

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Real Madrid win a corner down the left hand side. It's Toni Kroos, who takes it and whips it to Dani Carvajal, who rises on the left-hand corner of the six-yard box and flicks a powerful header across Kobel and into the top right! MADRID FIND A WAY TO SCORE, AGAIN!

How often have we seen them score after being the second best on field? Have they just sealed the deal for the night or will Dortmund find a response. 16 minutes left in regulation time.

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As the game progresses, the end to end momentum of this match is bound to change into a tightly contested midfield contest. Both teams would be eyeing to avoid a late goal at the same time, conserving their energy as extra-time becomes a possibility.

Keeping that in mind, Jude Bellingham was inches away from scoring a dream winner. A 20-year-old English midfielder winning the UCL final for Real Madrid at Wembley, think of what the headlines would have been. A neat chip from Vinicius had set him up but the Birmingham boy was unable to head it clean as Kobel hesitated in clearing it away.

Dortmund meanwhile, introduce Marco Reus - this will be the last we see of him in Dortmund colors - in place of Adeyemi, who's had a fantastic game, creating a couple of good opportunities.

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More purpose in Madrid's passing in this half. Toni Kroos combining nicely with the forwards to set Vinicius on one of his left-side runs into the Dortmund box. The camera pans to Carlo Ancelotti, that incessant chewing of the gum as his team does their thing, we've seen this picture so many times. Are Real turning the screws on another late finish here? 25 minutes to go till the 90 minute mark.

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Dortmund make inroads down the Madrid half from the left. Adeyemi squeezes in a curling pass from the left to inside the Madrid box and Fullkrug comes flying in to beat his marker and head it home. It's on target but too close to bother Thibaut Courtois. Another shot on target that doesn't materialize.

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Dani Carvajal tees up a first time volley at the near post on the right hand side of the Dortmund goal. His effort, on target, would've been a straightforward save for the Dortmund number one - Gregor Kobel but a last minute deflection from one of his own defenders has made it a trickier shot to save. He manages to do so and Dortmund breath easy.

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Dortmund come again, and Ryerson earns a corner down the right. Hummels flicks a header, and Schlotterbeck tries to keep it alive at the far stick, but falls on his backside as he attempts a spectacular overhead kick.

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Toni Kroos sets the ball down to take the free kick from just outside the Dortmund box on the left. A stunning curling effort on the left hand side of the goal and it takes some saving from the Dortmund number one to deny the German. Madrid win a corner. It finds Carvajal, whose header flashes over the goal. Madrid already showing more intent in the second half.

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Early corner for Dortmund down the right hand side. It's Brandt who takes it but Madrid head it away and are on their way to a counter, led by Vinicius, who makes one of his trademark runs down the left. Hummels robs the ball away from him again but this time, the referee blows his whistle for a Madrid free kick.

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You couldn't figure out by just looking at the Real Madrid players that they've been outplayed in the first half by Dortmund. This is a calm lot, led by an even calm manager, who knows how to win these big games. It's in his, and the club's DNA. What can they conjure up in the second half?

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Madrid kept the ball more in that first half but when it came to having a go at the goal, it was all Dortmund in that first half. Early misses from Brandt and Adeyemi inside the Madrid box were followed by Fullkrug hitting the woodwork.

At the other end, Madrid's best penetrations were dealt with by the Dortmund backline including a stunning sliding tackle from Mats Hummels to stop Vinicius in his tracks.

It's also been a final of early bookings. Three players have found their name in the referee's book; Vinicius, Schlotterbeck and Sabitzer. Will it effect the game in the second half? We're about to find out.

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Four additional minutes indicated by the fourth official.

Real Madrid have had good amounts of possession but it's been all Dortmund in this first half. Vinicius makes a surging run down the left but is bravely robbed of possesion with a sliding tackle from Mats Hummels. The yellow wall appreciates it. A corner at the other end for Dortmund in the dying embers of the added time but Madrid head it away and it brings an end to the first half.

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Marcel Sabitzer has a crack from 25 yards out and forces Thibaut Courtois into making a diving save to his left. That was struck with some venom, a little on the slower side though.

A minute later, Sabitzer is the latest to go in the referee's books as the result of another furious reaction to the referee awarding Madrid a foul.

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Vinicius goes down, quite easily it has to be said, and even though the linesman doesn't raise his flag, the referee has awarded Madrid a free kick. Schlotterbeck is livid and his reaction earns him a booking from the ref.

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A silly challenge that. Vinicius looks to repeat the Karim Benzema special against Karius from the 2018 final off a back pass but in the attempt, takes down the keeper and goes in the booking. He'll have to trudge carefully from here on or this could be a long night for Madrid.

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Counter from Dortmund!

It's originated down the right hand side but there's a switch made with a diagonal pass to the left. Adeyemi is teed in the inside-left channel into the Madrid box but a strong tackle from Mendy robs him of a chance.

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And just like that, Madrid find a way down the other side. Vinicius Jr. brushes aside Ryerson to slide a left-footed low pass down the middle of the Dortmund box but Schlotterbeck prevents Rodrygo from getting at the end of it.

The men in white have had more of the ball so far but it has to be said, so far, Dortmund have had the better of the chances. But then again, do Madrid really need as many to score a goal?

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Dear me!

It's Dortmund on the attack once again. Real Madrid in more numbers to defend this time. Maatsen dinks a pass to find an opening in the centre for Fullkrug, who takes a shot to the left of Courtois but it hits the woodwork and comes back out. A third chance where they could've scored, but haven't.

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Another long ball that's caught the Madrid defenders off guard and this time, it's Karim-David Adeyemi, who is at the receiving end of it. A quick feint to get past Courtois but that touch takes the ball too far away to roll it into an empty net and the final shot is blocked to the left of the Madrid goal. Nervous start for the Madrid backline to this final but Dortmund have now missed two good chances. Will they come back to haunt them?

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Madrid's chance to attack at the other end. Carvajal combines with Valverde down the right hand side and the ball is laid in path of Vinicius Jr but the Brazilian has a wild go at the goal from distance. Off target. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable, end-to-end start to the game.

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A loopy delivery over the top of the Madrid backline makes its way down to Fullkrug at the edge of Courtois' box. The German controls it and sets it up beautifully for an incoming Julian Brandt, who takes another touch before unleashing a shot at the far corner but misses to locate the target. A huge chance early in the game for Dortmund. They've got to make the most of these for there may not be many of these as the night progresses.

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Real Madrid staying patient, exchanging passes in their own half. All of sudden, Fede Valverde makes a surging run deep inside the Dortmund half but gets stopped in his tracks by a tackle from Schlotterbeck. No free kick, early wave of the hand from the ref.

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First corner of the game, and it's Dortmund, who have the chance to score from inside the Madrid box.

Brandt sticks the corner into the mixer. Füllkrug's flick is on target but Rüdiger clears. An impressive front-foot start by the underdogs, though.

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He's been the man of big moments for this Real Madrid team and Vinicius Jr wastes little time in making inroads down the Dortmund half. The Brazilian dribbles down the left touchline but runs out of road. Closes his penetration down the other side of the pitch by pumping up the Madrid supporters behind the Dortmund goal. A loud cheer follows and we're back in action with a throw in.

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We have barely gotten started with the game and already, the referee brings the game to a halt, thanks to what is likely to be the quickest pitch invasion ever in a big final. Dortmund coach Edin Terzic is bemused at the touchline. Carlo Ancelotti, who had barely started savouring on his chewing gum, stands with his curstomary unfazed look.

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Borussia Dortmund International! ?#UCL #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/W28N9HT5UG

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 1, 2024

It was something he made sure was known in his retirement address last month. Toni Kroos always wanted to leave the game at his peak. As he plays his final club football game, a Champions League final, Kroos comes in as an all-important player.

He has made the most line-breaking passes in the Champions League (194), as well as the most leading to final third entries (64).

He plays at the base of Madrid's midfield tonight in the absence of Aurelien Tchouameni. His role, therefore, could be more 'destroyer' than 'deep-lying playmaker', depending on how Carlo Ancelotti uses Eduardo Camavinga.

Cristiano Ronaldo monickered him the 'teddy bear'. Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he's the manager he most got along with. Jude Bellingham names him as Real Madrid's greatest strength. Everyone loves Don Carlo. Can he seal the night with a record 5th UCL title?

Don Carlo ??@MrAncelotti || #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/HKtOcBIQxB

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2024

What a season it has been for Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid. The 20-year-old has barely looked out of place at the club and has fitted in almost seamlessly in what was an already powerful young unit. It was only a year ago that the yellow wall chanted their lungs out for the English midfielder. Tonight though, he'll feel for the first time what it's like to be at the other end of those vociferous bunch. Perhaps he already does as he makes his way onto the Wembley green ahead of the final.

#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/D7xOd8uI4r

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2024

3. That's the number of times Real Madrid have turned to a European Cup/Champions League final and not returned with a trophy. 3 off 17 appearances. They don't call this their competition for no reason.

1955/56, vs Reims: won by 4-3

1956/57, vs Fiorentina: won by 2-0

1957/58, vs AC Milan: won by 3-2 (extra-time)

1958/59, vs Reims: won by 2-0

1959/60, vs Eintracht Frankfurt: won by 7-3

1961/62, vs Benefica: lost by 5-3

1963/64, vs Inter: lost by 3-1

1965/66, vs Partizan: won by 2-1

1980/81, vs Liverpool: lost by 1-0

1997/98, vs Juventus: won by 0-1

1999/00, vs Valencia: won by 3-0

2001/02, vs Bayer Leverkusen: won by 1-2

2013/14, vs Atletico Madrid: won by 4-1 (extra-time)

2015/16, vs Atletico Madrid: draw, 1-1 (won on penalties)

2016/17, vs Juventus: won by 4-1

2017/18, vs Liverpool: won by 3-1

2021/22, vs Liverpool: won by 1-0

Quite the star-studded attendance at the Wembley Stadium for this one. Jose Mourinho makes an appearance on one of the on-pitch broadcast pre-shows and gets booed by the Dortmund fans in attendance as he shows up on the big screen. Seconds later, it's former Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, who shows up on the big screen. One can only imagine the reception that he receives. It was he who last brought them to this stage, only fitting that he's in attendance just days after calling it quits on his time in England with Liverpool.

?? Dortmund fans react to the big screen... Mourinho to Klopp! #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/qSbHc09zCK

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 1, 2024

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos, Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen, Can, Sabitzer, Sancho, Adeyemi, Brandt, Fullkrug

The all-important prize sits by the Wembley touchline. Who will lift it at the end of the night?

?????#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/bgXhSAWFWr

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2024

Season-enders seldom end happily for Borussia Dortmund.

Last May, they just needed to beat mid-table Mainz to reclaim the Bundesliga title after 11 years. They failed. Bayern held the trophy aloft as the Yellow Wall mourned. It’s their fate, to finish second. They have lost three of their three finals of various iterations of the Champions League, the last at the same venue, Wembley. Seven times this century they have ended up in second spot in the Bundesliga, winning just thrice.

In the opposite spectrum is Real Madrid, who they encounter to win their second-ever Champions League. Fourteen times have they conquered Europe, only thrice have they stumbled in the final, the last coming as far back as 1981. Dortmund doesn’t want to repeat history; Madrid wants it to repeat. (Sandip G previews the big one, READ HERE)

In an era when managers flexing their tactical nous has reached its apex, Ancelotti remains the old-school coach, who likes to keep his cards to himself. A quiet, strong presence in the dugout, who at heart is a player’s manager. But before we get to the man management finesse of his, it’s crucial to understand what makes Ancelotti such a strong figure in the dressing despite being a man of few words.

The Italian sums it up in one line in his book Quiet Leadership, and how? “When you watch Vito Corleone in The Godfather, do you see a weak, quiet man or do you see a calm, powerful man in charge of his situation?” (MORE on Real Madrid's magic man by Sayak Dutta and Rahul Pandey)

Over the years, the club has become a popular hunting ground for buyers with deeper pockets. Dortmund has provided an excellent base for players to grow but haven’t been the compulsive title winners, nor a consistent contender. It has only felt like the obvious next step for their star players to move elsewhere with brighter prospects. The mind boggles at the what if scenarios that would have transpired had the club been able to keep them longer than they did: Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan, Erling Haaland, and most recently, Jude Bellingham.

A club binded by financial constraints, often outmuscled and bullied by those with bigger vaults, getting the better of a multi-billion dollar project to reach the pinnacle of the sport is a feat rarely seen in modern times. Dortmund did exactly that in the semi-final against PSG, and how. A win, a campaign that's worth celebrating in modern football. (MORE HERE from Rahul Pandey)

Group Stage

vs Paris Saint Germain (away): lost by 2-0

vs Milan (home): draw, 0-0

vs Newcastle (away): lost by 1-0

vs Newcastle (home): won by 2-0

vs Milan (away): won by 1-3

vs Paris Saint Germain: draw, 1-1

Round of 16

vs PSV (away): draw, 1-1

vs PSV (home): won, 2-0 (through on aggregate)

Quarter-final

vs Atletico Madrid (away): lost by 2-1

vs Atletico Madrid (home): won by 4-2 (through on aggregate)

Semi-finals

vs Paris Saint Germain (home): won by 1-0

vs Paris Saint Germain (away): won by 1-0 (through on aggregate)

Group stage

vs Union Berlin (home): won by 1-0

vs Napoli (away): won by 2-3

vs Braga (away): won by 1-2

vs Braga (home): won by 3-0

vs Napoli (home): won by 4-2

vs Union Berlin (away): won by 2-3

Round of 16

vs RB Leipzig (away): won by 1-0

vs RB Leipzig: (home): draw, 1-1 (through on aggregate)

Quarter-finals

vs Manchester City (home): draw, 3-3

vs Manchester City (away): draw, 1-1 (through on penalties)

Semi-finals

vs Bayern Munich (away): draw, 2-2

vs Bayern Munich (home): won, 2-1 (through on aggregate)

It's that time of the year again, friends. The last game of the European football season, the game of the European football season. The Champions League final. Two deserving finalists. The Real Madrid glitterati have earned their way to being in touching distance of a staggering 15th European Cup. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, haven't had the most smooth of seasons but have surely looked a team to reckon with on their way to the summit clash. They will be eyeing a second UCL title, 37 years since they won their only.

Both teams have a chance to send off a club legend on a high. Toni Kroos has already announced this will be his last club game. He's lifted the trophy four times with Madrid before. Marco Reus on the other hand, missed out on lifting the trophy with Dortmund in 2013. A perfect precedent for loyalty in the modern game, the German winger has missed out on quite a few titles during his tenure with BVB, including a final day league slip up last season. It will be his last chance to win the big one with Dortmund.

A superb evening brewing for us from the Wembley Stadium. We've seen some bangers here, haven't we? Barcelona managed to run riot against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United back in 2011. It was here as well that Dortmund lost a close final to their German rivals - Bayern Munich - two years later. Can they finally have their moment under the floodlights, or will it be Real, who stand tall once again. Get them popcorns and drinks, warm those cushy seats, we've got you for the evening.