Real Madrid punish wasteful Dortmund to lift Champions League trophy
Real Madrid are Champions League champions for the second time in three years thanks to a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday night.
Despite being the underdogs, Dortmund created plenty of chances throughout the match, especially in the first half where they were solid at the back while threatening on the counter at the other end of the pitch.
The first big chance of the night came after 20 minutes when Karim Adeyemi was played in behind the Real Madrid defense. The BVB attacker then tried to get around Thiabaut Courtois and pushed the ball just wide, allowing Dani Carvajal to get back and block his shot.
In what turned out to be a good spell in the game for BVB, Niclas Füllkrug hit the post three minutes later after latching onto a fantastic lofted through ball from Mats Hummels. Soon after, Courtois was forced into a crucial save when Adeyemi once again used his pace to get in behind and shoot.
After a first 45 minutes in which Dortmund had the better of the chances and could have taken the lead, the second half began with Real Madrid's first real chance of the evening when Gregor Kobel was forced into a good save at his near post to keep out Toni Kroos' free-kick.
In the 56th minute, Dani Carvajal threatened with a volley at the back post, but fortunately for Dortmund, the ball hit Ian Maatsen on its way to the goal, taking the power out of the shot.
Just after the hour mark, it was Dortmund's turn to strike as Niclas Füllkrug sent a header towards goal that Thibaut Courtois pushed away.
Then, in the 73rd minute, Real Madrid took the lead a little too easily, especially considering how close the game had been up to that point. Toni Kroos whipped in a corner that an unmarked Dani Carvajal rose high to head home.
The goal was a blow for Dortmund and a huge boost for Real Madrid, who went on to create numerous good chances and eventually made it 2-0 through Vinicius Junior in the 83rd minute. Real Madrid won possession in a dangerous area, Eduardo Camavinga rolled the ball out to the left to Vinicius Junior, who had all the time in the world to find the far corner.
The goal seemed to put the game out of reach, but Dortmund hit back through Niclas Füllkrug. However, the goal was disallowed for offside and the Black and Yellows had no answer as Real Madrid held on to secure their 15th European Cup/Champions League trophy.