A thrilling night unfolded at the Santiago Bernabéu as Real Madrid stunned Borussia Dortmund with a remarkable comeback, finishing 5-2.
This match was a showcase of resilience and talent, particularly from Vinicius Júnior, who stole the spotlight with a spectacular hat-trick.
With recent discussions swirling around Jude Bellingham’s form, it was Vinicius who reminded everyone of his potential.
Early Dominance by Dortmund
The match began with a strong showing from Dortmund, who took the lead in the 30th minute.
Donyell Malen struck first, smashing the ball past Thibaut Courtois from close range, sending a wave of excitement through the visiting fans.
Just four minutes later, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens doubled Dortmund’s advantage, making it seem like they were in control of the game.
Dortmund’s coach, Nuri Sahin, made a pivotal decision at halftime, substituting Bynoe-Gittens for center-back Waldemar Anton.
Unfortunately for Dortmund, this strategic change proved detrimental.
Real Madrid Strikes Back
Real Madrid quickly responded, with Antonio Rudiger scoring five minutes after the break, capitalizing on a slick Kylian Mbappé cross.
This goal sparked a shift in momentum, and just two minutes later, Vinicius Júnior found the back of the net, leveling the score at 2-2.
With the wind in their sails, Madrid surged forward in the final ten minutes of the match.
Lucas Vazquez put them ahead with a brilliant goal from a tight angle, followed by two more goals from Vinicius Júnior, sealing the game and completing his hat-trick.
Praise for Vinicius Júnior
After the match, Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed his admiration for Vinicius’s extraordinary performance.
He confidently stated that the young star was a strong contender for the upcoming Ballon d’Or.
“What I can say is that it’s rare to see a player who plays a second half like Vinicius did. And not just because of the three goals, but because of his character; he’s extraordinary,” Ancelotti noted.
He elaborated on Vinicius’s potential, emphasizing that while the hat-trick was impressive, it was his overall contributions from the previous year that would truly count.
“Vinicius is going to win (the Ballon d’Or), not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year,” he added, highlighting the player’s ability to change games.
A Calm Approach to the Comeback
Reflecting on the first half, Ancelotti revealed that there was no panic in the locker room despite being two goals down at halftime.
The team maintained their composure and made necessary adjustments to their tactics.
“We lived it calmly over the break. We changed the system and came back playing more intensely,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of focusing on small details, like passing well and winning duels, rather than fixating on scoring three goals.
“We were timid in the first half; we weren’t intense on the ball. In the second half, we did better with more quality and more pressure. It was the best second half of the season,” Ancelotti declared.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, Ancelotti stressed the need for his team to learn from their second-half performance.
He acknowledged that while they might not maintain that intensity for the full 90 minutes, finding a better balance at the start of games would be crucial.
As the season progresses, Real Madrid’s focus will be on consistency and avoiding early setbacks, aiming for more commanding performances in the future.
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