Vinícius Junior hat-trick leaves Borussia Dortmund empty handed against Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund were two goals to the good at the Santiago Bernabéu thanks to first-half strikes from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens, but Real Madrid rallied after the break to hit their opponents for five, with Vinícius Junior starring for the hosts.
The last time these sides took to the field together, they passed the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley Stadium ahead of the 2024 showpiece in the English capital. Almost five months later, Dortmund had a chance to gain a modicum of revenge for a 2-0 defeat to record European champions Real in a league stage rematch in Madrid. Nuri Şahin's side had started this season's tournament with back-to-back wins and - despite travelling to Spain without several injured key players - stunned the home side with a couple of goals in quick succession that silenced the Santiago Bernabéu. Malen slammed home his first goal of the tournament this term from a Serhou Guirassy assist and, just as the dust was settling on that moment, Gittens showed up at the back post to tap in from Malen's centre from the right. The hosts rallied and hit the crossbar twice in the same move via Rodrygo and then former BVB favourite Jude Bellingham, but a breathless opening 45' would ultimately belong to the Bundesliga team.
That Real Madrid have made this competition their own in the recent past has been down, in no small part, to some jaw-dropping comebacks. Carlo Ancelotti no doubt pointed to such feats at the half-time break, as his team emerged for the second half appearing intent on clawing back the deficit. When ex-Stuttgart defender and Germany international Antonio Rüdiger headed in a Kylian Mbappé assist on the hour, it was game on. Yet even Dortmund couldn't believe their luck when Vinícius was there to sweep home just two minutes later. Momentum now fully with the men in white, a home winner seemed inevitable. The crucial strike arrived from the boot of Lucas Vázquez, who lashed past Gregor Kobel from the right. The holders even had time for some more Vinícius magic, the No. 7 running the length of the pitch before swerving in, and adding another solo effort in injury-time to inflict a first defeat of this year's Champions League on a distraught Dortmund.
5 - 2
(0 - 2)
Madrid
SECOND HALF
Dortmund
Champions League League phase, Matchday 3 League phase, Matchday 3 Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid
Full-time: Real Madrid 5-2 Dortmund
The hosts complete a second-half comeback to add to their list of memorable Champions League nights at the Santiago Bernabéu. Dortmund had led 2-0 at half-time, before the defending champions turned on the style after the break, with Vinícius netting a treble.
The home hero produces one more solo spectacular but this is far too easy from a BVB point of view, the visiting defence allowing the Brazilian to waltz in and finish.
Vinícius wins possession deep inside his own half on the left and embarks on a lengthy run that leaves Dortmund's defenders for dead. The Brazilian cuts outside Süle and slots the ball past the outstretched hand of Kobel.
Madrid's comeback is complete. Rodrygo does well to keep the ball in play out wide. His subsequent pass causes confusion among the Dortmund ranks and Brandt's touch only takes it into the path of Lucas Vázquez, who finishes at the near post.
Beier's low shot from close range is saved by Courtois while Brandt just fails to make something of the follow up.
80'
Mbappé off target
The France international can't quite steer Rodrygo's centre on target and Kobel watches the ball fly harmlessly over his crossbar.
76'
Beier flying
Beier storms into the action after coming on to replace Felix Nmecha and the youngster flashes a pass across the Madrid box, which the hosts scramble to clear.
The Real Madrid keeper slides out to take the ball ahead of the onrushing Malen.
Momentum shift
Dortmund are right up against it now, with Madrid sensing one more of those famous European nights here. What a turnaround in this game. Can Şahin's men gather themselves in time?
The reigning European champions have scored twice in quick succession to pull level in this game. Former Stuttgart defender and Germany international Rüdiger headed in Mbappé's centre while just moments later, Vinícius Junior sent the home fans into ecstasy when stroking in the leveller from another Mbappé assist, which survived a VAR check.
This is far more dangerous from Ancelotti's side. Mendy's menacing centre misses Mbappé - just - but does land at the feet of Valverde, whose shot from a tight angle is blocked by Kobel.
50'
Schlotterbeck alert
Rodrygo runs all the way to the byline and cuts the ball back into the danger zone. Schlotterbeck takes the pass and jogs calmly out of the area. Things are not clicking for the hosts.
48'
BVB remain focused
Nmecha does brilliantly to win back possession and eventually earn a corner. Dortmund are up for the fight in this second half, not sitting back or going lightly into challenges.
46'
Away we go again
Real Madrid get the second half underway ...
45'
+ 2
Half-time: Real Madrid 0-2 Dortmund
The defending European champions leave the field with heads bowed. Their opponents from the Bundesliga have taken control in the Spanish capital thanks to a couple of quick-fire goals from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens.
Hats off to BVB
This has been a super showing from Nuri Şahin's side. While they've ridden their luck at times, clinical efficiency in front of goal has them in control of this Matchday 3 game right now.
The attacking midfielder bounds forward, full of confidence, and unleashes a low shot from distance at goal. Courtois gets down to scoop the effort away from danger.
38'
Courtois saves Madrid
Brandt's belter towards the top corner is blocked by a flying save from Thibaut Courtois.
36'
Real hit the bar ... twice
What a game this is now! Soon after Bellingham sends a header from close range into the arms of Kobel, the home side are back again. Rodrygo slams against the crossbar, before Bellingham sends the follow up against the upright. In the same move, Kobel is forced to tip over after Brandt inadvertently sent the ball high towards his own goal. Phew!
33'
BVB on fire 🔥
Scenes at the Santiago Bernabéu! This is far too easy for the visitors, who have so much time to move the ball across to the right via Ryerson. The Norwegian picks out Malen, who darts a pass to the back stick for Gittens to tap home.
The away end erupts after Malen takes a through pass from Serhou Guirassy on the right and slams the ball past Courtois for the opening goal of the night!
The home side are allowing their guests to play a little bit of keep ball here, in what looks like a bit of a breather for Madrid. Could be an opportune time for BVB to make hay.
Dortmund poised
Real Madrid have so far had five attempts to Dortmund's two. The Bundesliga side will not be all that displeased with their showing here, however. Nuri Şahin's team look capable of surprising their opponents.
Jamie Gittens gets into the Real area and slips just as he pulls the trigger. The loose ball evades the attentions of Donyell Malen and Courtois cleans up.
10'
Hosts dominant
Carlo Ancelotti's side have had 65 per cent possession to date. BVB are by no means a shadow in this game, but the defending European champions do appear to be growing ever more confident as the clock ticks on.
8'
Madrid pressure
Modrić's free kick into the Dortmund mixer is headed out by Bensebaini, but only towards Mbappé. The French superstar smacks the ball goalwards first time and looks on as his effort hits Nmecha and bounces wide.
5'
Guirassy shot
Dortmund find some space on the right and Brandt picks out Guirassy in the centre. The striker stretches and makes contact, sending the ball into the arms of Courtois.
3'
Calm start
BVB play some nice pass and move stuff as they probe for an opening in Madrid's half. The hosts subsequently win a corner, Luka Modrić taking. It comes to nothing.
1'
Game on!
Dortmund kick off amid tremendous noise inside this famous ground.
Teams out
Both sides make their way out onto the pitch and we're ready for the Champions League anthem.
Stage is set
The magnificent Estadio Santiago Bernabéu - capacity 78,297 - is rapidly filling as we approach kick-off. We're in for a spectacular atmosphere in Madrid for this league phase game. Lest we forget, Dortmund topped the Champions League standings going into Matchday 3 following two opening victories. Madrid have won one and lost one to date.
In Real Madrid's midfield for the 52nd time here, Jude Bellingham famously wore the Black-and-Yellow of Dortmund for 132 games, scoring 24 goals in BVB's colours between 2020 and 2023. The England international got the better of his former side to become a Champions League winner in last season's showpiece.
Tale of the tape
BVB currently trail Madrid in terms of the head-to-head between the sides, with tonight's hosts boasting seven wins to Dortmund's three. There have also been five draws.
He's already racked up three goals in his two UEFA Champions League games this season and striker Serhou Guirassy will be eager to add to that tally at the Santiago Bernabéu, where goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders Éder Militão and Germany international Antonio Rüdiger will look to frustrate the BVB marksman.
Julian Brandt captains Dortmund on what is his 227th appearance for Die Schwarzgelben this evening. He is yet to score in the Champions League or the Bundesliga this season, but should he do so in the Spanish capital, we may well see the 28-year-old's trademark celebration. Check out its meaning in the video.
More on those teams
Former Real Madrid player Nuri Şahin makes three changes to the side that overcame St. Pauli at the weekend with Niklas Süle, Felix Nmecha and Jamie Gittens in from the get-go in Madrid. Waldemar Anton, Pascal Groß and Emre Can drop to the bench. Karim Adeyemi, Yan Couto, Gio Reyna and Julien Duranville are all out injured for the visitors. Former BVB favourite Jude Bellingham is alongside Croatia legend Luka Modrić in the Real midfield while Dortmund will have to work hard to keep the home attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo quiet.
The visitors will be without Karim Adeyemi (muscle injury), Yan Couto (muscle injury), Gio Reyna (groin) and Julien Duranville (hamstring) for their trip to the Spanish capital.
Real's injury list
Brahim Diaz (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (ligament tear) and David Alaba (ligament tear) are all still recovering from injuries and therefore won't be available for the game against Dortmund.
Ancelotti: "Dortmund has changed"
Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for Dortmund ahead of their Champions League tie, and insisted they'd still be dangerous despite the changes in personnel from last season, telling the club's official site: "Borussia Dortmund has changed. They changed coaches and some new players have come, but they have the same idea of football. They play intensely, well and they have individual and collective quality. They are a demanding opponent and recently played a Champions League final against us."
Şahin also offered an update on the fitness of 'keeper Gregor Kobel, saying: “Gregor Kobel had slight stomach problems and therefore didn't train today. But he should be available for tomorrow. Niklas Süle is fit again and available.”
Şahin: "We want to be brave"
Ahead of their clash with Real Madrid, Dortmund coach Nuri Şahin emphasised the importance of togetherness, saying: "It's only possible as a collective against this team. The lads know what we have planned tomorrow. We want to be brave and build on the last two games in the Champions League."
Dortmund made it three wins in a row with victory over newly promoted St. Pauli.
Consistency is key
Despite their impressive form in Europe, Dortmund have been less convincing in the Bundesliga. They have won four, drawn one and lost two of their opening seven games.
It's been a while
The two teams from last season's Champions League final meet again, this time much earlier in the competition. Dortmund have won their opening two games against Club Brugge and Celtic, scoring ten goals in the process, while Real have won one and lost one, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Lille in their previous fixture.
2:57
Guirassy getting it done
Former Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy has hit the ground running after his summer move to Dortmund - he has six goals and one assist in six appearances in all competitions - and his proven game-changing abilities could come in clutch for the BVB in Madrid this week.
Prime position
Dortmund head into this heavyweight clash sitting atop the league phase standings with a perfect record of two wins from two matches with a whopping goal difference of +9 following their 3-0 Matchday 1 win in Bruges and their 7-1 thumping of Celtic on Matchday 2. Meanwhile Real sit in 17th following their 3-1 win over Stuttgart and shock 1-0 loss in Lille last time out.
Just over four months after the two sides met in the Champions League final - which saw a desperately unlucky Dortmund side fall 2-0 to the Spanish giants at Wembley - they are all set to do it again as Matchday 3 action heads to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Borussia Dortmund's third UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at holders Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Match stats
Despite defeat here, Dortmund have lost just three of their past 15 matches in this competition.
Şahin made 10 appearances for Madrid as a player during the 2011/12 season.
Bellingham made 132 appearances for Dortmund between 2020 and 2023. He is one of five Madrid players to have previously played in Germany alongside David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Rüdiger and Jesús Vallejo.
Dortmund have scored 12 goals in this season's Champions League, more than any other side.
Teams
Real Madrid: Courtois - Vázquez, Rüdiger, Militão, Mendy - Valverde, Modrić (c) (Camavinga 71'), Bellingham (Arda Güler 90') - Rodrygo (Tchouaméni 85'), Mbappé (Ceballos 90'), Vinícius Unused subs: Lunin, González, Endrick, Vallejo, Fran García Out: Alaba (cruciate ligament), Carvajal (cruciate ligament), Díaz (thigh) Coach: Carlo Ancelotti