By Manuel Sánchez Gómez
London, June 1 (EFE).- Real Madrid won their fifteenth European Cup on Saturday, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 thanks to goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior.
It was a strange final in which Borussia kept Madrid on their toes for 45 minutes, only for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to come out on top.
Madrid’s inertia in the first 45 minutes was colossal. They came out to keep the ball but not to play the game. The ball moved from side to side in their territory, but it was Borussia who knew what to do.
The Germans’ disregard for the ball had a purpose; their game plan was to exploit speed, space, and their wingers, who tore Carvajal apart through Karim Adeyemi in the first 45 minutes.
The man of the six finals struggled against the talented German player, who found himself alone against Courtois with a through ball from Hummels.
With all the time in the world and an advantage over the defensive line and Courtois, Adeyemi chose not to shoot and instead took a rough and nervous touch around the goalkeeper, sending the ball out of bounds and ruining his moment of glory.
The second half changed when Carvajal appeared from the back to crash a volley into the defense. It was a first warning, followed by a great save from Kobel on a Kroos free kick.
Nacho said earlier that they would prefer to start winning without having to make a comeback, but he did not say anything about not suffering. Ancelotti warned them: «It’s the most dangerous game.»
And the fear, anxiety, and nerves that take hold as soon as the Champions League anthem ends and you’re facing Borussia Dortmund’s yellow wall were all gone for Dani Carvajal when he struck the near post from Kroos’ corner.
The pressure of the Fifteenth Cup fell onto the inexperienced Germans, who gave away the 0-2 and the final.
Maatsen, with a catastrophic back pass, left Bellingham and Vinícius in a two-on-one.
The Englishman, who had just missed the second goal, set up the Brazilian for a deflected shot that sealed the title.
This victory marks the farewell of Kross, who left with the job done, pointing to the badge that will have one more title on it from this Saturday at Wembley. EFE
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