Carlo Ancelotti’s men weren’t at the races for a while but eventually rallied to an impressive win. Re-live the action with the best facts and Opta data in our Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund stats page.
Madrid found themselves trailing by two at the break thanks to goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens, with Dortmund on course for a measure of revenge for their Champions League final defeat last season.
But the home side, who’d not won a UCL game in which they’d trailed 2-0 since 2004, fought back in astonishing fashion after half-time.
Antonio Rüdiger and Vinícius struck in under two minutes around the hour mark to restore parity, before Lucas Vázquez – arguably at fault for Gittens’ goal – fired home in the 86th minute.
Vinícius completed the emphatic turnaround with another couple of brilliant late goals, as Madrid equalled their record for the most goals scored in a single half of Champions League football.
Up next for Los Blancos? El Clásico against Barcelona at the Bernabéu on Saturday.
Madrid vs. Dortmund: A Story of Two Halves
The first half of the match saw a dominant performance from Borussia Dortmund, who took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Donyell Malen opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by a goal from Jamie Gittens in the 27th minute. Real Madrid struggled to create any clear-cut chances and looked to be heading for a disappointing defeat.
However, the second half saw a complete turnaround from the home side. Carlo Ancelotti's men, known for their resilience, emerged from the break with a renewed sense of purpose. Their relentless pressure paid off as they scored five goals in the second half, including a remarkable hat-trick from Vinícius Junior.
Vinícius Junior's Spectacular Hat-trick
Vinícius Junior was the hero for Real Madrid, scoring a stunning hat-trick. He scored his first goal in the 60th minute, followed by a second goal in the 62nd minute. He then completed his hat-trick with a brace in the 88th and 90th minutes. His goals were a masterclass in attacking play, showing his impressive pace, dribbling skills, and finishing ability. He was a nightmare for the Dortmund defense and deservedly earned the Man of the Match award.
A Tactical Masterclass from Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti demonstrated his tactical acumen by making key substitutions and adjustments at halftime. His changes brought a fresh energy to the Real Madrid team, allowing them to dominate the second half and score five goals. Ancelotti's decision to bring on fresh legs and change the formation from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-3-3 proved to be decisive in the outcome of the match.
The Dortmund Defense Implodes
While Real Madrid's attacking brilliance was a key factor in their victory, Borussia Dortmund's defense crumbled in the second half. Their inability to handle the relentless pressure from the home side resulted in a cascade of goals. The Dortmund defense, which had looked solid in the first half, struggled to cope with the pace and agility of Vinícius Junior and the rest of the Madrid attackers.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid will now be looking to carry this momentum into their upcoming match against Barcelona in the El Clásico on Saturday. This victory will have given them a huge boost in confidence and will undoubtedly be a major talking point in the lead-up to the highly anticipated encounter. The match will be a clash of titans and one of the most anticipated games of the season.
The Road Ahead
Real Madrid will now be looking to build on their impressive victory over Borussia Dortmund and maintain their momentum throughout the season. They have a squad packed with talent and experience and will be aiming to compete for all the major trophies. Their performance against Dortmund has shown that they are more than capable of taking on the best teams in Europe.
Match Centre: Key Stats and Insights
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own post-match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
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