Real Madrid denied Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final (Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid withstood an admirable but wasteful performance from Borussia Dortmund to underline their status as kings of Europe and win a record-extending 15th Champions League at Wembley.
Madrid were second best for large periods but late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side complete a stunning double following their La Liga triumph.
Bundesliga side Dortmund will rue several missed chances, especially in the first half when they went close through Niclas Fullkrug and Karim Adeyemi.
But they may find find solace in the fact they were beaten by the undisputed kings of Europe, who knocked out holders Manchester City in the quarter-finals and gave legendary manager Ancelotti a fifth Champions League trophy.
Multiple pitch invaders disrupted the start of the final after less than a minute, causing a brief delay as security belatedly removed them from the playing surface.
The first chance of note fell to Borussia Dortmund and Julian Brandt, who prodded wide from just outside the six-yard box after Fullkrug found space behind the Madrid defence.
Real Madrid went straight up the other end and created their first opportunity of the night as a move involving Carvajal and Federico Valverde culminated in Vinicius lifting an effort over the bar.
Madrid clinched a record-extending 15th Champions League (Picture: Getty)
The opening exchanges still belonged to Dortmund, however, and the underdogs should have been in front when Adeyemi raced through on goal and rounded Thibaut Courtois only to push himself too wide and blow the opportunity.
Edin Terzic’s side came close again moments later – though this chance would have prompted a tense VAR review for offside – as a Fullkrug toe-poke beat Courtois but hit the inside of the post before Madrid were able to clear.
Dortmund kept knocking on the door and the lively Adeyemi was denied by Courtois from a tight angle, with Fullkrug unable to head home the rebound.
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The German side had one more chance at the end of an impressive but frustrating opening 45 minutes – a diving Courtois denying Marcel Sabitzer’s long-range strike.
Real Madrid began the second-half more positively and quickly had their first shot on target, Gregor Kobel at full stretch to keep out the retiring Toni Kroos’ free-kick before Carvajal headed over from the resulting corner.
But Dortmund still looked the more threatening and Courtois was called into action yet again to beat away Fullkrug’s diving header.
Borussia Dortmund were let to rue several missed chances (Picture: Getty)
England star and La Liga player of the season Jude Bellingham was having a quiet evening against his former club and failed to connect to Vinicius’ inviting cross, much to the relief of Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Kobel.
But Real Madrid were not denied the opening goal shortly after as Carvahal rose superbly to meet Vinicius’ corner and divert a powerful header into the far corner.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of Dortmund, who almost conceded minutes later as Bellingham’s close-range strike was deflected wide off Nico Schlotterbeck.
It felt only a matter of time before Madrid doubled their advantage as Kobal kept out Kroos’ free-kick, Eduardo Camavinga’s curling strike and Nacho’s header in the space of just a few minutes.
Real Madrid celebrate becoming European champions (Picture: Getty)
But Kobel’s heroics were in vain as Real Madrid doubled their lead with 10 minutes remaining, a blunder from Ian Maatsen allowing Bellingham to find Vinicius and the Brazilian making no mistake to all but decide the final.
Dortmund, who were bidding to win a second Champions League, did have the ball in the back of the net late on through a Fullkrug header but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
Real Madrid’s players and fans celebrated yet another European triumph when the full-time whistle was blown, while Dortmund were left to digest more Wembley disappointment following a second Champions League final defeat on this ground in 11 years.
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