MADRID — “Our crown, our trophy,” declared the banner raised by fans behind the south goal of Santiago Bernabeu before kickoff.
Real Madrid, the reigning European champions and 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, once again lived up to their reputation as the comeback kings in a thrilling 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
This Madrid side, while packed with elite talent, often struggles to function cohesively. They flirted with disaster in the first half but, urged on by the passionate Bernabeu crowd, managed to turn the game around in spectacular fashion.
The first half was a disaster for Madrid—fragile defense, nonexistent midfield, and a hesitant attack. But the second half saw a transformation, as they became an unstoppable force, led by the irrepressible Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian scored a hat trick in what could be his finest performance yet, one that may secure him a Ballon d’Or by the end of the month.
In the new Champions League format, Madrid faced the real risk of two losses in three games after their 1-0 defeat at Lille. Their first-half display against Dortmund—falling 2-0 behind after conceding twice in four minutes—suggested a worrying trend. However, despite a lackluster start to the season, Madrid had remained unbeaten in La Liga, and optimism was high as the game kicked off.
Dortmund fans created an electric atmosphere, and their team gave them every reason to celebrate early on. Donyell Malen’s 31st-minute opener, followed by Jamie Bynoe-Gittens’ goal three minutes later, put Dortmund firmly in control. But Madrid began to show signs of life, with Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham both hitting the woodwork before halftime.
At the break, the Bernabeu crowd whistled in frustration, demanding a response from their team. The comeback began in the 60th minute, when Antonio Rüdiger’s header from Kylian Mbappé’s cross made it 2-1. Vinícius soon leveled the score at 2-2, after a tense wait for the offside decision to be overturned.
Madrid continued to press for a winner, and Lucas Vázquez delivered with their third goal. Vinícius then sealed the result with two stunning late goals, leaving no doubt about the outcome. By the final whistle, Madrid’s first-half struggles seemed like a distant memory, as their dominant second-half performance erased any doubt.
Vinícius, who carried the match ball off the pitch, was the clear standout. His hat trick performance came at a perfect time, with El Clásico against Barcelona looming. While Madrid’s first-half issues remain a concern, their second-half display was a reminder of their resilience.
The new Champions League format means that Madrid’s place in the knockout stage was never seriously threatened, even with a potential defeat. And while they’ve had the occasional slip-up in the group stage before—like Sheriff Tiraspol’s shocking win at Bernabeu in 2021—Madrid has a habit of bouncing back to claim the ultimate prize.
In the end, Madrid did what they do best: they delivered when it mattered. With Vinícius in this kind of form, they are once again among the favorites to win the competition in 2025.
