7 Decisive Moments From Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League Victory

There is no more iconic combination in football – perhaps even in global sport – than Real Madrid and the Champions League.

Los Blancos have dominated the rest of Europe more often than not, recording an impressive 15th Champions League and European Cup win combined when they defeated energetic Borussia Dortmund in the 2023/24 final at Wembley.

While Madrid’s dominance of the 2010s boasted Ballon d’Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric – the latter still playing at the Bernabeu – Carlo Ancelotti’s current crop of multi-generational talent have made their own bit of history, with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde leading the way in the club’s last tournament triumph.

But what were the key moments of their breathtaking run to glory? Here are seven of Madrid’s defining moments during the 2023-24 Champions League.

Jude Bellingham’s first season in Madrid has already been an all-timer. If he stopped scoring the same ridiculous number of goals in a single campaign from now on, it would hardly be a stick to beat him with.

The former Dortmund star needed no time to get used to his new surroundings and immediately fitted into Ancelotti’s starting line-up, playing as a substitute behind Vinicius and Rodrygo.

Bellingham was the leading goalscorer in the early stages of the 2023/24 season and on his Champions League debut for the club he proved to be the winner, scoring the injury-time goal that secured a 1–0 win over Union Berlin.

The iconic party begins.

Madrid won six times in six group stage matches, playing alongside Serie A champions Napoli, Bundesliga debutants Union Berlin and Portuguese side Braga.

After that first win over Berlin, Los Blancos showed some weaknesses in defence, but their spirit and threat in the penalty area proved sufficient time and again, finishing each game ahead of their opponents.

Ancelotti’s consistency and ruthlessness allowed him to rest some of his biggest stars later in the group stage, but the results remained the same with Madrid taking 18 points in Group C.

Bellingham has been a mixed bag in 2023/24, with an ankle injury forcing Ancelotti to do without the English superstar in the first leg of the round of 16 against RB Leipzig.

However, the Italian had Brahim Diaz, a proven attacking midfield threat after a productive spell at AC Milan, to call upon instead. The Spaniard showed he is much more than just a rotation option, scoring a brilliant goal from distance to separate the two sides in Saxony.

The return leg ended in a 1-1 draw, with Diaz’s moment of magic proving to be the decisive point for Madrid to reach the last eight.

Real Madrid-Manchester City is quickly becoming the most prestigious match in European football.

Los Blancos’ prestige in the league is clearly greater than that of the Cityzens, but Pep Guardiola’s team are still the team to beat in England and showed in 2022/23 that they have the potential to go all the way in Europe.

The first leg of their thrilling quarter-final was a real thrill, ending 3-3, but Madrid needed to show more guts and determination at the Etihad Stadium.

Kevin De Bruyne’s equaliser after a Vinicius goal sent the match into extra time and into penalties. Reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin proved his worth with two saves from shots by Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva.

The Ukrainian was an unexpected hero and his saves kept Madrid’s hopes of elimination alive.

Toni Kroos has played his last professional game after retiring from football after Euro 2024, but he gave his supporters plenty of parting gifts to remember his final campaign.

The Germany international is known for his exceptional control of midfield and his long-range shots, but it was his assist to Vinicius that put Real Madrid ahead in their semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Kim Min-jae may have come at the ball like a madman, but Kroos’ heavy, quarterback-style pass made it almost impossible for Vinicius to waste the chance.

Madrid’s history is full of superstars who burst onto the scene at crucial moments, but there have also been plenty of times when somewhat vilified teammates made the difference.

He is no longer at the club, but few people look down on former Stoke City striker and Euro 2024 winner Joselu.

With Madrid heading for a semi-final elimination against Bayern, the veteran forward scored twice in the closing stages to send Ancelotti’s side to Wembley.

Madrid were the big favourites ahead of the match against Dortmund at Wembley.

The German side missed a number of chances until Dani Carvajal headed in the opening goal and then shot themselves in the foot when loanee Ian Maatsen made a huge blunder just before the end.

The Dutchman passed the ball straight to Bellingham who rolled it into the path of Vinicius. The Brazilian made no mistake and finished confidently to secure Madrid’s 15th Champions League victory.

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