Real Madrid vs Dortmund: Vinicius Jr Inspires Incredible Champions League Comeback
Real Madrid produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, a result that echoed their victory over the German side in last season’s Champions League final. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Madrid erupted in the second half, scoring five unanswered goals to secure a crucial win in Group D.
The Bundesliga side had looked in control for much of the first half, with goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens giving Dortmund a comfortable lead. However, Real Madrid, under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti, never gave up hope of a comeback.
The turning point came in the 62nd minute when Vinicius Junior scored his first goal of the night, slotting home a low shot to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The Brazilian forward would go on to complete a hat-trick, scoring his second and third goals in the 73rd and 80th minutes respectively, to give Madrid a 4-2 lead. Lucas Vazquez added a fifth in the 83rd minute, securing a morale-boosting victory for the Spanish giants.
Vinicius Jr’s performance was nothing short of sensational. The 23-year-old has been in fine form this season, and his hat-trick took his tally to six goals in five Champions League matches. His dynamic and fearless attacking play was a key factor in Madrid’s comeback, and he was ably supported by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde, and Aurelien Tchouameni.
For Dortmund, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. The German side had started the season brightly, winning their first two Champions League matches, but they were unable to hold on to their lead against Madrid. Manager Nuri Sahin made some questionable substitutions in the second half, with the introduction of Waldemar Anton for Gittens and Pascal Gross for Malen seeming to sap Dortmund’s attacking momentum.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, showed why they are considered one of the best comeback teams in the Champions League. Under Ancelotti, they have now won eight matches after trailing in the Champions League since the start of the 2021-22 season, more than they have lost (seven) and drawn (three). This was their first European home win from a two-goal deficit in 20 years, dating back to a 4-2 victory over Roma in September 2004.
The victory was particularly important for Madrid after their surprising 1-0 defeat at Lille in their previous Champions League match. That loss had raised questions about their form and title credentials, but Ancelotti’s side responded in emphatic fashion against Dortmund.
Looking ahead, Madrid will now turn their attention to their next Champions League match, away to Shakhtar Donetsk on November 1. They will also face a crucial La Liga clash against Barcelona on October 29, a match that could have major implications for the title race in Spain.
For Dortmund, the defeat will be a wake-up call. They will need to bounce back quickly if they are to challenge for the Champions League title this season. Their next match in the competition is away to Celtic on November 1, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways in Europe.