CHAMP15NS: Real Madrid proclaimed the best in Europe for the 15th time

Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Real Madrid

The First Half

The game – played at London's iconic Wembley Stadium and officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić – was exciting from the very first minute though it was stopped for a while just 2 minutes in when a fan entered the playing field.

The first dangerous attack came from Borussia Dortmund in the 14th minute. Niclas Fulkrug got free behind the Real Madrid defense on the left side and sent the ball into Julian Brandt, but shot wide.

In the 21st minute, Karim Adeyemi, who moved with a deep pass from the defense, came face-to-face with Thibault Courtois. Adeyemi dribbled past the Belgian goalie but lost his angle and the Madrid defense recovered, sending the ball to the corner.

In the 23rd minute, Fulkrug, who came face to face with the goalkeeper after Emre Can's pass, hit the post. The Real Madrid defense cleared the danger.

The first half ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Second Half

In the 63rd minute, Fulkrug headed from an Adeyemi cross into the penalty area from the left wing only to see Courtois deflecting the ball out of harm's way.

From a minute 74 corner kick, Madrid fullback Dani Carvajal rose well in the penalty area and the ball skidded off his head before nestling in the netting inside the far post. After the goal, which was met with great joy by the Madridistas, the game became even more exciting.

In the 81st minute, Eduardo Camavinga sent a shot from just in front of the penalty arc, but amn alert Gregor Kobel deflected the ball for corner kick at the last moment.

In the 83rd minute, Jude Bellingham, who had seized the ball in the opponent's half, met Vinicius Junior on the left without waiting. This player's shot found the net and the score became 2-0.

There were no more goals in the remaining time as Real Madrid won 2-0.

Real Madrid: Claiming the title of the best for the 15th time

The Spanish giant, who played in the final for the 18th time, took this cup to their museum for the 15th time.

Real Madrid had previously reached the happy ending in the UEFA Champions League in 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022.

Borussia Dortmund won their first and only UCL title in 1997.

Don Carlo: The Only One

Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, nicknamed "Don Carlo", experienced the excitement of the Champions League final for the sixth time. Ancelotti, who lifted the trophy in the Champions League for the fifth time, achieved a title that is hard to reach in the coaching category.

"That is what makes us stand out. It is a football family."

- Carlo Ancelotti

He also shared his feelings: "It was difficult to imagine that in three years you could win two European Cups and two LaLiga titles with a team that is changing little by little. It is the best team in the world and being here is a great gift. I am enjoying it and trying to get the best out of it. I have my son as my assistant and he can tell me things that nobody can tell me. We feel at home on a day-to-day basis and we are a family, like Real Madrid. That is what makes us stand out. It is a football family. Everyone works and there is a very healthy atmosphere created by the tradition of the club. Working in a family is better than in an industry".

24 titles together

Real Madrid quartet Nacho, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Carvajal etched their names in Champions League history by securing their sixth European Cup, equalling the record held by club legend Paco Gento. These four are part of an elite group, made up exclusively of Real Madrid players, who have achieved this remarkable feat.

While Modrić, Nacho, and Carvajal won all six titles with Real Madrid, Kroos won five with the Spanish giants and one with Bayern Munich, also at Wembley in 2013. This triumph marks a new chapter in Real Madrid's legacy, solidifying their dominance in European football.

Arda Güler: The first Turkish player

Starting the match on the bench and not getting any playing time, 18-year-old Arda Güler made history as the first Turkish footballer to win the Champions League.

Two teams, two farewells

Kroos, who started the match for Real Madrid, took the field for the last time with the Spanish team and said goodbye to Los Blancos by assisting on Carvajal's goal and winning the Champions League title. The star player assisted will retire after EURO 2024.

On the other side, Marco Reus, who started the match on the bench, entered the game in the 72nd minute in place of Adeyemi, amking his final appearance for Borussia Dortmund in the yellow and black jersey. The German star will leave Dortmund at the end of the season.

The bests of the season

Vinicius Junior was chosen as the best player of the season in the Champions League.

The best young player of the season in the Champions League was again Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid.

The team of the season

The best 11 of the season included Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Vitinha (PSG), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).