In the early morning of October 23 (Vietnam time), Real Madrid met Dortmund in the third match of the league stage of the UEFA Champions League 2024-2025. This is a replay of the final match of the 2023-2024 season last June, where the Royal team won 2-0 to win the 15th European championship.
Also related to the number 15, Real Madrid extended their unbeaten streak at home at Bernabeu in the Champions League after an explosive comeback in the second half against the German team.
Although playing in Madrid, Dortmund were comfortable with the ball and attacking. And when the opponent shows the position of the European King, they also know how to defend very firmly.
It was no surprise when Dortmund took the lead in the 30th minute, after a patient pass.
Ramy Bensebaini passed the ball back beautifully to Donyell Malen, the Dutch player lost the ball, but Julian Brandt managed to win it back and pass it to Serhou Guirassy, who continued to pass it to Malen once again to have a shot into Thibaut Courtois' net that stunned Madridista at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The score was 2-0 soon after. Dortmund moved to the right wing, Malen faced Ferland Mendy before making a perfect pass to Jamie Gittens to calmly double the gap.
Los Blancos understand that they need to have a real fight if they want to prevent a second consecutive defeat in this arena, after losing at Lille in the second match.
Former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham missed a great chance to reduce the gap when Vinicius Junior's perfect pass was too weak to beat goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The regret continued for Bellingham a few minutes later with a shot hit the crossbar, after Rodrygo Goes also touched the wood frame.
At the other end, Brandt's long-range shot forced Courtois to save the thumb before the end of the first half.
Despite their good first half performance, Dortmund were perhaps not expecting the backlash from the "White Vultures" after the break.
Real Madrid scored a goal in the 60th minute, when Kylian Mbappe assisted Antonio Rudiger to score. Two minutes later, the equalizer was 2-2.
Luka Modric headed the ball towards Mbappe and was blocked by Nico Schlotterbeck, but the ball reached Vinicius' feet for the Brazilian to score amid the cheers of home fans.
Carlo Ancelotti refreshed his team by bringing on Eduardo Camavinga to replace Modric. The pressure was on the visitors' defense and they collapsed in the 83rd minute, when Lucas Vazquez scored the third goal, right after Courtois denied Maximilian Beier.
Vinicius ended the victory in his style, starting with an excellent solo goal and completing his hat-trick with a close-range shot in extra time.
Winning 5-2, Real Madrid has the 6th point after 3 matches in the Champions League 2024-2025 season.
