On the morning of October 23 (Vietnam time), Real Madrid met Dortmund in the third match of the league stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League. 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 number 15, Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run at home at the Bernabeu in the Champions League after a second-half explosion to come from behind against the German side.
Despite playing in Madrid, Dortmund are comfortable with the ball and attacking. And when their opponents show their true status as the Kings of Europe, they also know how to defend very solidly.
It was no surprise when Dortmund took the lead in the 30th minute, after some patient passing.
Ramy Bensebaini played a wonderful back pass to Donyell Malen, the Dutchman lost possession, but Julian Brandt won it back and passed it to Serhou Guirassy, who passed it to Malen again whose finish went past Thibaut Courtois, stunning the Madridistas at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It was 2-0 shortly afterwards. Dortmund switched to the right, Malen taking on Ferland Mendy before perfectly passing for Jamie Gittens to calmly double the lead.
Los Blancos know they need 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 deficit when his header from 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 hitting the crossbar, after Rodrygo Goes also hit the woodwork.
At the other end, Brandt's long-range effort forced Courtois into a fingertip save before half-time.
Despite performing well in the first half, Dortmund probably did not expect the fierce reactions from the "White Vultures" after the break.
Real Madrid pulled one back in the 60th minute, when Kylian Mbappe set up Antonio Rudiger for a goal. Two minutes later, they equalized to make it 2-2.
Luka Modric headed the ball towards Mbappe and was blocked by Nico Schlotterbeck, but the ball fell to Vinicius for the Brazilian to score to the cheers of the home fans.
Carlo Ancelotti refreshed his side by bringing on Eduardo Camavinga for Modric. The visitors' defence was under immense pressure and they collapsed in the 83rd minute, when Lucas Vazquez scored the third goal, shortly after Courtois denied Maximilian Beier.
Vinicius closed out the win in style, starting with a brilliant solo goal and completing his hat-trick with a close-range strike in stoppage time.
Winning 5-2, Real Madrid has 6 points after 3 matches in the 2024-2025 Champions League season.
