- Real Madrid won the Champions League after a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund
- Dani Carvajal scored a brilliant header before Vinicius Junior doubled the lead
- Sunday league, grassroots, pub football… how Pep’s influence has trickled down the pyramid – Listen to the It all starts podcast
Real Madrid lifted the Champions League trophy for the fifteenth time after a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Dani Carvajal was the unlikely hero for the LaLiga giants after heading home from Toni Kroos’ corner before Vinicius Junior slotted home the decisive second goal.
Dortmund had created a number of golden openings in a pulsating first half, but both Karim Adeyemi and Niclas Fullkrug were guilty of glaring misses.
Madrid were given more space after the breakthrough and Vinicius took advantage of a sloppy error by Ian Maatsen to finish coolly behind Gregor Kobel.
Here, Mailsport‘s CRAIG HOPE rated the players…
REAL MADRID (4-3-1-2)
Thibaut Courtois7
Some of the saves were a little unconvincing, but he still kept Dortmund out when his team really needed him.
Dani Carvajal7
Match winner with a brilliant header and that’s all that matters, even if he was suspicious in defense a few times.
Antonio Rudiger 6
I will be grateful that he is Fullkrug’s team-mate in Germany this summer, because the man from Dortmund has made him better here.
Nacho5.5
Like Rudiger, he struggled against the threat of Fullkrug and was part of Real’s shaky performance at the back.
Ferland Mendy6
Should have been booked for an early trip on Sancho but pulled off a big tackle on Brandt at 1-0 as German looked to be breaking away.
Federico Valverde7
Great early pass to split the defense and was the choice of the Real midfield as they struggled in the first hour. Energetic and smart on the ball.
Eduardo Camavinga6.5
Strong tackles in the beginning, but could not prevent Dortmund’s attack wave in the first half. Growing with the team after the break.
Toni Kroos 7.5
He continues a glorious career as a Champions League winner and it was no surprise that his expert display led to a crucial opener.
Judas Bellingham 5.5
Did almost nothing for 83 minutes and was his worst performance of the season on the biggest stage. He then laid the pass for Vini Jr to settle the match.
Rodrygo 4
Been quiet all night and didn’t show anything close to his top level. Did well to stay on until stoppage time.
Vinicius Junior 7.5
Booked for a late lunge on Kobel, which summed up the frustration of the first half. He got into it after the break and it was his run that forced a corner for the opener before he settled it with an own goal.
Subs
Joselu (on for Bellingham 85)
Luka Modric (up for Kroos 85)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND (4-2-3-1)
Gregor Kobel 7
A spectator in the first half, but had to make a flying save from Kroos’ free-kick early in the second half and made a series of key stops. Bad luck to lose.
Julian Ryerson6.5
A bold attempt to win the Maradona corner built the team’s confidence during the dominant opening. Later in the game he had more trouble with Vini Jr.
Mats Hummels 8
A cracking challenge for Vini Jr that was welcomed as a goal. Fantastic all night, nothing went past him and he didn’t deserve to lose. MOM.
Nico Schlotterbeck7
He and Hummels looked like Nesta and Maldini at times and were let down by the finishing at the other end of the pitch.
Ian Maatsen6.5
Inverted as a left-back midfielder when his team attacked and made great progress. Not that good in defense and guilty of at least one goal.
Marcel Sabitzer7
Is this really the same guy who flopped at Man United? Always on the ball, with passes in the first half. Also top tackle on pitch invader.
Emre Kan 7
Strong start and was in charge for a while before fading away, as did his team.
Jadon Sancho6
Flashes of promise but were not as effective as in the semi-finals and it was a surprise that he lasted until the 87th minute.
Julian Brandt 7.5
Real caused all kinds of problems in the number 10 position. Underrated and was the best player of the game in the first half.
Karim Adeyemi 6
If only he could finish… poor touches cost him two glorious chances to score in the first half. The end product let him down.
Niclas Fullkrug 6.5
A display of strength and skill in the first hour, with Brandt creating excellent opportunities and then chipping away at the post. However, could have scored with a header and was beaten for goal by Carvajal.
Subs
Marco Reus (on for Adeyemi 72) 5
Donyell Malen (on for Can 81)
Sebastian Haller (on for Brandt 81)
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (on for Sancho 87)