After a flurry of goals from Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid held on to win the Champions League for the fifteenth time on Saturday at Wembley thanks to goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior in the closing moments.
On minute 74, Vinicius struck a shot into the far corner to extend the Spanish giants’ record as the most successful club in Champions League history, after right-back Carvajal had headed in from a corner from Toni Kroos.
Madrid has now prevailed in the last nine European Cup finals and six of the previous 11 seasons.
However, not for the first time in that run, they had to rely on some good fortune as underdogs Dortmund were left to bitterly regret not making the most of their first-half chances.
READ ALSO: Champions League: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Settle For Draw
Niclas Fuellkrug hit the post and Karim Adeyemi failed to convert a one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid, though, always seem to find a way in Europe’s elite competition and made more history in the English capital.
Carvajal, Kroos, Nacho and Luka Modric joined Real legend Paco Gento as the only players to win the European Cup six times.
Carlo Ancelotti also extended his record as the most successful coach in the competition’s history with his fifth title.
A record number of more than 2,500 stewards were in place at Wembley with the authorities keen to avoid a repeat of the violent scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final three years ago when ticketless fans stormed the turnstiles.
But further questions over the security operation will be raised as three pitch invaders were able to enter the field in the opening minutes of the game, with one taking photos alongside Jude Bellingham and Vinicius.
READ ALSO: Chelsea Given Permission By Leicester To Speak To Enzo Maresca
Ancelotti said pre-match he felt “like a lion” after an afternoon siesta, but his side were caught napping for the first 45 minutes as, roared on by the travelling thousands from Germany, Dortmund dominated.
