Evening Standard
·1 June 2024
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·1 June 2024
Borussia Dortmund produced an excellent display in the Champions League final at Wembley but were made to pay for missed chances as they were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid.
Edin Terzic’s side surprised many inside a packed Wembley by dominating the first half, but Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt and Niclas Fullkrug could not take their opportunities.
Real’s pedigree showed after the break as they edged ahead through Dani Carvajal’s towering header and then made sure of victory as Jude Bellingham squared for Vinicius Jr to slide home.
Dom Smith was at Wembley to rate the Dortmund players…
Gregor Kobel 8
Took a clattering from Vinicius Jr in the first half but was able to continue. Some super saves in the second half, but they weren’t enough.
Gregor Kobel produced a fine display at Wembley
AFP via Getty Images
Julian Ryerson 7
An excellent outlet on the right flank. Used his pace to overlap and proved difficult for Real to dispossess.
Mats Hummels 7
Said he’ll make his mind up about whether he stays at Dortmund after this final, and should do on this showing. Some crucial defensive headers.
Nico Schlotterbeck 7
One excellent clearance with Bellingham poised to slot home the opener. Passed well, and almost always forwards. Booked for protesting.
Ian Maatsen 6
Defensively astute at left-back. Turned beautifully away from Rodrygo at one point, and set up Karim Adeyemi’s huge early chance with a nice slipped pass but gave the ball away for the second goal.
Emre Can 6
Led Dortmund well as captain, keeping them ticking over in midfield and thwarting his Germany team-mate Toni Kroos — until Kroos and Real grew in the second half.
Quiet for much of the match but stung the gloves of Thibaut Courtois with a decent effort from distance.
For long spells he was out of the game, like Bellingham for Real, but on occasion he found the ball at his feet and showed his ability by driving forward.
Julian Brandt 7
Saw plenty of the ball and was usually effective with it, charging at Real with purpose.
Dortmund were made to pay for missed chances
REUTERS
Karim Adeyemi 5
His touch let him down in the first half, preventing him from being able to take two glorious opportunities. One, when he rounded Courtois but went too far wide, was a huge chance. Subbed for Marco Reus on 72 minutes.
Niclas Fullkrug 7
Naturally saw the ball less than his team-mates as the lone striker, but kept it well and came so close to breaking the deadlock when his first-half clip struck the inside of the post but bounced clear. Close with a second-half header. Beaten in the air by Carvajal for the winner.
Subs:
Marco Reus (Adeyemi, 72’) 5
Dortmund were losing within a minute of Reus coming on. Not his fault, of course.
Donyell Malen (Can, 81’) N/A
Sebastien Haller (Brandt, 81’) N/A
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Sancho, 87’) N/A
Not used: Lotka, Meyer, Sule, Wolf, Nmecha, Watjen, Ozcan, Moukoko
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