Champions League final: Real Madrid seals 15th European Cup after 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund

0

 






Spain's Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final, beating Germany's Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.

Real Madrid's defender Dani Carvajal hit the back of the net in the 74th minute, scoring the first goal in the match from Toni Kroos' corner. That was followed by a clinical strike by Vinicius Junior in the 83rd minute.

"I don't know what to say, just tremendous happiness," Carvajal said after the game. "We knew it would be a tough game, and in the first half they were very superior but we got out alive. But we knew our moment would come, and it did, and we have the 15th [Champions League title for Real Madrid.]"

This is Real's record 15th win of the championship, making them the most successful club side in Champions League history. 

Carlo Ancelotti also extended his record as the most successful coach in the competition's history with his fifth title.

Arrests after pitch invaders disrupt play

A record of over 2,500 stewards were in place at Wembley, in an effort to avoid a repeat of the violent scenes that marred the Euro 2020 final three years ago when ticketless fans stormed the turnstiles.

The game was nevertheless still interrupted after the first minute when three individuals invaded the pitch, disrupting the encounter. The three invaders were reportedly arrested by half-time.

"It is illegal to enter the field of play at Wembley Stadium, and we strongly condemn the actions of those who interrupted the UEFA Champions League Final shortly after kick-off," a Wembley Stadium spokesperson said.

"All of the individuals have now been arrested. We will support the relevant authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken."

Returning to England for the first time since he came back to Dortmund on loan in January after a miserable time at Manchester United, Sancho was a major factor as the Germans threatened to take the lead before going down to two second-half goals at Wembley.

"The last six months Jadon has been brilliant for us. Of course it took time to get back into shape, but you can feel there's quality and his skills are going to improve our game straight away," Terzic said.

"He didn't improve only his game, but he improved players all around him."

In his first four years at the Westfalenstadion, Sancho scored 50 goals and laid on 64 more in 137 games. He won the 2021 German Cup shortly before joining United for a fee of 85 million euros ($93 million).

But at Old Trafford, he scored just 12 times in 82 appearances and fell out with manager Erik Ten Hag earlier this season, who banished him to training with the reserve team.

Dortmund offered Sancho a lifeline and he returned to Germany in January having not played first-team football since September.

Sancho's six-month loan officially ended after Saturday's game and while Dortmund have said publicly they would like to keep the player, the 24-year-old's future is uncertain.

Terzic dodged questions about where London-raised Sancho would play next season but predicted a bright future for a player who has returned to form and rehabilitated his reputation at Dortmund.

"I didn't speak about the future because we're talking about the present. We played a Champions League final in his home town and I'm really happy he's with us.

"You can feel the joy he receives in the dressing room and that he brings into the dressing room.

"I'm very happy to work with Jadon. We don't know yet what the future will bring but for sure it'll bring him another Champions League final."

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post