Final Champions League 2024: Reliving Real Madrid’s Triumph at Wembley

The UEFA Champions League final held on June 1 2024 at Londons iconic Wembley Stadium was a defining moment in European football. The 69th season of Europe’s premier club competition and the 32nd under the UEFA Champions League banner saw Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling showdown.Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory secured their record extending 15th title, cementing their legacy as the kings of Europe. For fans searching Final Champions League 2024. this match details, key moments, player performances, and historical context.Drawing from sources like UEFA.com, ESPN, and Sky Sports, we relive the drama of Wembley and explore its lasting impact.

The Road to the 2024 Final

The initial 32 teams in the UEFA Champions League’s group stage were reduced to 16 for the knockout stages. Borussia Dortmund, finishing second in the 2022/23 Bundesliga, navigated the group of death (Group F) with Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle United, topping it with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, per UEFA.com. Their knockout journey included a 3-1 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven, a 5-4 comeback against Atlético Madrid, and a 2-0 shutout of PSG, with Mats Hummels’ header sealing their final berth.

Real Madrid, La Liga champions, cruised through Group C with 6 wins, scoring 16 goals. Their knockout path was tougher: a 4-2 aggregate win over RB Leipzig, a penalty shootout victory against Manchester City (4-3 after 4-4), and a dramatic 4-3 semi-final triumph over Bayern Munich, thanks to Joselu’s late brace, as detailed by The Athletic. This set the stage for their sixth final in ten years.

The Venue: Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium, hosting its eighth European Cup final and third in the Champions League era (2011, 2013), was selected by UEFA’s Executive Committee on September 24, 2019, to mark the centenary of the original stadium’s 1923 opening. The venue has a long and illustrious history, including Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United in 2011 and Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Dortmund in 2013.The 2024 final, initially planned for Istanbul but shifted due to COVID-19-related rescheduling, saw Wembley deliver a vibrant atmosphere, enhanced by a pre-match show featuring Lenny Kravitz performing Fly Away Human and Are You Gonna Go My Way per UEFA.com.

Match Details and Key Moments

The final kicked off at 8:00 PM BST on June 1, 2024, refereed by Slovenia’s Slavko Vinčić, who officiated his second UEFA club final. The match, broadcast by TNT Sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US, drew a global audience, with 86,212 fans in attendance. Real Madrid, favored at 3/5 odds by bookmakers, faced a resilient Dortmund side, per Sky Sports.

First Half: Dortmund’s Missed Chances

Dortmund dominated early possession, creating high quality chances. In the 21st minute, Karim Adeyemi received a pass from Mats Hummels. Adeyemi rounded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but Dani Carvajal stopped his shot. Two minutes later, Adeyemi’s through-ball released Niclas Füllkrug, whose shot hit the post. Despite Dortmund’s 1.38 expected goals (xG) to Madrid’s 0.36 in the first half, per Sofascore, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.

Second Half: Madrid’s Clinical Finish

Real Madrid shifted gears after the break. In the 74th minute, a Toni Kroos corner was headed in by Dani Carvajal, breaking the deadlock. Nine minutes later, Jude Bellingham’s pass found Vinícius Júnior, who slotted past Gregor Kobel for a 2-0 lead. Dortmund’s late push, including a Füllkrug header disallowed for offside, couldn’t overturn the deficit. Madrid’s 2.02 xG in the second half reflected their clinical edge, securing a 2-0 victory.

Key Stats

• Shots: Dortmund 17 (5 on target), Real Madrid 15 (7 on target).
• Possession: Dortmund 52%, Real Madrid 48%.
• Passes Completed: Dortmund 462, Real Madrid 435.
• xG Total: Dortmund 2.14, Real Madrid 2.38.
• Fouls: Dortmund 10, Real Madrid 8.
• Yellow Cards: Vinícius Júnior, Nico Schlotterbeck, Mats Hummels.

Standout Performances

Real Madrid

• Dani Carvajal: Scored the opener and made a crucial block on Adeyemi, earning man-of-the-match honors. His sixth Champions League title tied Paco Gento’s record, per UEFA.com.
• Vinícius Júnior: Sealed the win with his goal, contributing 6 goals and 5 assists in the tournament.
• Toni Kroos: Delivered the assist for Carvajal’s goal in his final club match, retiring with a sixth title.
• Carlo Ancelotti: Extended his record as the most successful Champions League manager with his fifth title, third with Madrid.

Borussia Dortmund

• Mats Hummels: Orchestrated Dortmund’s attack with precise passes but couldn’t prevent the loss.
• Karim Adeyemi: Created multiple chances but lacked finishing precision.
• Niclas Füllkrug: Hit the post and had a goal disallowed, finishing with 3 goals in the campaign.

Historical Context and Records

Real Madrid’s 15th title widened their lead over AC Milan (7 titles) and Liverpool/Bayern Munich (6 each). The victory marked their sixth title in 11 seasons, with four players Carvajal, Kroos, Luka Modrić, and Nacho matching Gento’s six-title record. Carvajal became the only player besides Gento to start in six winning finals. Dortmund, seeking their second title since 1997, fell short despite their first final appearance since 2013.

The match also highlighted Madrid’s knack for late drama, with 12 of their 15 titles featuring decisive moments after the 70th minute. ESPN noted that Ancelotti’s tactical acumen, which combined experienced players like Kroos with young stars like Bellingham, emphasized Madrid’s dominance.

Prize Money and Rewards

The 2024 winners earned €20 million for the final, with cumulative earnings up to €85.14 million based on their unbeaten run (9 wins, 4 draws), per Yahoo Sports. Dortmund netted approximately €65 million. Madrid also secured spots in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and a Champions League league phase berth, though already qualified via La Liga.

Broadcasting and Fan Experience

The final was a global spectacle:

• UK: TNT Sports aired the match, with highlights on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app. Some broadcasters offered free YouTube streams, as in past years.
• US: CBS and Paramount+ provided live coverage, with Spanish-language options on Univision.
• Global: DAZN, beIN Sports, and UEFA’s YouTube channel streamed highlights.
• Pre-Match Show: Lenny Kravitz’s performance, starting at 8:45 PM CET, set the tone, while Rudimental headlined a Friday Night Show on May 31, per UEFA.com.

Fan engagement was high, with 25,000 tickets allocated to each club and 10,000 for general sale, per SeatPick.X posts from accounts like @ChampionsLeague celebrated Madrid’s victory, with over 1.2 million views on highlight clips.

Post-Match Fallout

Dortmund’s loss led to significant changes. Manager Edin Terzić resigned on June 13, 2024, stating the club needed a new man on the touchline for its next era. Nuri Şahin, his assistant, was appointed head coach on a three-year deal, per UEFA.com. Dortmund’s campaign, despite the defeat, earned them a top-five Bundesliga finish, ensuring 2024/2025 Champions League qualification.

Real Madrid’s victory capped a La Liga-Champions League double, with Jude Bellingham’s stellar debut season (10 goals, 7 assists in all competitions) earning praise. However, Kroos’ retirement and potential departures of Modrić and Nacho signaled a transitional phase, as noted by The Athletic.

Challenges and Controversies

• VAR Decisions: Dortmund’s disallowed goal sparked debate, with some fans on X (@FootballTalk) arguing the offside call was marginal.
• Ticket Pricing: Prices ranged from €70 to €610, with resale markets hitting €2,000, pricing out some fans, per SeatPick.
• Wembley Security: Lessons from the Euro 2020 final chaos ensured tighter measures, avoiding repeats of crowd issues, per Yahoo Sports.

Conclusion

The UEFA Champions League final was a masterclass in resilience and clinical finishing, with Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley etching another chapter in their storied history. Dani Carvajal’s opener, Vinícius Júnior’s clincher, and Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical brilliance delivered a record 15th title, while Dortmund’s valiant effort fell short despite early dominance. The match, watched by millions on TNT Sports, Paramount+, and global streams, showcased Wembley’s grandeur and Lenny Kravitz’s electrifying pre-show. Fans can revisit highlights on UEFA.com, ESPN, or Sofascore, where stats like Madrid’s 2.38 xG tell the story of their efficiency. As Madrid prepares for the 2025 Super Cup and Dortmund rebuilds under Nuri Şahin, the 2024 final remains a testament to the Champions League’s unmatched drama. Follow @ChampionsLeague on X or visit uefa.com for more, and relive the moment that crowned Europe’s kings.

References:

• UEFA.com: 2024 UEFA Champions League Final Details
• ESPN: Champions League 2023/24 Stats and Highlights
• Sky Sports: Final Preview and Live Updates
• The Athletic: Real Madrid’s Tactical Breakdown
• Sofascore: Match Stats and xG Analysis
• Yahoo Sports: Prize Money and Broadcasting
• SeatPick: Ticket Information
• @ChampionsLeague on X: Post-Match Reactions

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