Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post, and Karim Adeyemi squandered two clear chances at goal, but Real Madrid withstood the onslaught. Despite their valiant efforts, Dortmund fell 2-0 to the Spanish giants in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Leading up to the decisive moments, Borussia Dortmund exhibited an inspiring amount of tenacity and tactical prowess, dominating the first half at Wembley. Veteran defender Mats Hummels expressed a mix of pride and regret after the match, acknowledging Dortmund’s ability to put Real Madrid on the back foot but lamenting their inability to deliver a definitive blow. “We showed a lot of courage, heart, and footballing skill. We missed out on scoring and then conceded. That’s how they always do it,” the 35-year-old commented, pointing to Real Madrid’s knack for seizing crucial moments.
Throughout the first half, Dortmund pressed high and created multiple scoring opportunities. Niclas Fuellkrug’s attempt rattled the post, and Karim Adeyemi found himself with two golden chances to put Dortmund ahead. Yet, a combination of near misses and Real Madrid’s staunch defense kept the scoreline unscathed. The Spanish side weathered the storm and then turned the tide dramatically late in the second half, netting two goals in just ten minutes to secure their 15th European Cup title.
The pivotal moment arrived via a set-piece when Dani Carvajal connected perfectly with a corner, sending his header past Dortmund’s keeper Gregor Kobel. Shortly after, former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham found Vinicius Junior, who had been a constant threat throughout the night, and the Brazilian forward made no mistake, slotting the ball into the far corner to seal the victory for Real Madrid.
Speaking post-match with Germany’s ZDF network, Hummels highlighted his team’s fearless approach.
. “We played a great game, and I’m really proud of the team,” he noted, adding that Real Madrid’s resilience and a touch of fortune played pivotal roles in the outcome.
Dortmund’s head coach Edin Terzic felt his side deserved more from the game, lamenting their lack of a “killer instinct.” “Above all, in the first half, we had the feeling that we had them. From the first second, we showed them that we’re here to win it,” Terzic said. The coach’s remarks underscore a sentiment of frustration tinged with pride at how his players performed on such a grand stage.
Similarly, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel echoed these sentiments, telling ZDF that the team was overwhelmed with disappointment at the missed opportunities. “The disappointment is huge. You don’t get too many chances against Real Madrid. We had our chances and should have made something of them once or twice. Nevertheless, reaching the final is a huge success,” he emphasized, putting the run to the final in perspective.
Despite the heartbreak, Dortmund’s journey to the Champions League final was a significant achievement, drawing admiration for their style of play and resilience. The performance at Wembley showcased not only their tactical discipline but their ability to challenge Europe’s elite, promising a bright future for the team.
This story originates from a third-party syndicated feed, and the platform accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or data. The management reserves every right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
