Who Won the Champions League 2024: Real Madrid’s Triumph and Legacy

The UEFA Champions League, Europes most prestigious club football competition reached its thrilling climax on June 1 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London. For fans searching who won the Champions League 2024, the answer is Real Madrid, who defeated Borussia Dortmund 2–0 to claim a record-extending 15th title. This Real Madrid’s victory, key moments, standout players, and the broader impact of their season triumph. Drawing from authoritative sources like UEFA.com, ESPN, Wikipedia, and posts on X, this comprehensive guide is your ultimate resource for understanding the 2024 Champions League final and its significance.

The UEFA Champions League Final: An Overview

The UEFA Champions League was the 69th season of the tournament and the 32nd since its rebranding from the European Champion Clubs’ Cup. According to UEFA.com, the record-breaking eighth Wembley Stadium final featured German underdogs Borussia Dortmund versus Spanish giants Real Madrid. Real Madrid, with 14 prior titles, entered as favorites, having cruised to their 36th La Liga title, while Dortmund, with one Champions League title (1997), finished fifth in the Bundesliga, per usatoday.com.

The match, officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić, saw Real Madrid secure a 2–0 victory with late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior, per UEFA.com. This win marked Real Madrid’s sixth title in 11 years and their 18th European Cup/Champions League final appearance, per en.wikipedia.org. As champions, they earned spots in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup, the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, per UEFA.com.

Road to the Final: Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid’s Journey

Real Madrid, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, dominated Group C (Napoli, Braga, Union Berlin) with a perfect record, per UEFA.com. Their knockout path was gruelling:

• Round of 16: Defeated RB Leipzig 2–1 on aggregate.
• Quarter-finals: Overcame Manchester City 4–4 (4–3 on penalties) after a dramatic shootout, per UEFA.com.
• Semi-finals: Faced Bayern Munich in a “European Clásico.” A 2–2 first-leg draw was followed by a 2–1 second-leg win, with Joselu’s late double securing a 4–3 aggregate victory, per en.wikipedia.org.

According to UEFA.com, key players like Jude Bellingham (Young Player of the Season) and Vincius Junior (Champions League Player of the Season) stood out.

Borussia Dortmund’s Journey

Dortmund, under Edin Terzić, topped the group of death (Group F: PSG, AC Milan, Newcastle United), per en.wikipedia.org. Their knockout run included:

• Beat PSV Eindhoven 3–1 in the round of 16 overall.
• Quarter-finals: Overturned a 2–1 first-leg loss to Atlético Madrid with a 4–2 second-leg win (5–4 aggregate), per UEFA.com.
• Semi-finals: Defeated PSG 2–0 on aggregate, with Mats Hummels starring, per UEFA.com.

Dortmund’s resilience was notable, but their fifth-place Bundesliga finish underscored their underdog status, per usatoday.com.

The Final: Key Moments and Tactical Breakdown

The June 1, 2024, final at Wembley was a tactical chess match, per bleacherreport.com. Dortmund dominated the first half, creating chances through Karim Adeyemi and Niclas Füllkrug, but failed to score, per UEFA.com. Real Madrid, despite being outplayed early, stayed composed under Ancelotti’s guidance.

• Second Half Turning Point: Real Madrid shifted gears after halftime. In the 74th minute, Dani Carvajal headed in a Toni Kroos corner to break the deadlock, per UEFA.com.
• Sealing the Win: Vinícius Júnior scored in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a Dortmund defensive error, securing a 2–0 victory, per en.wikipedia.org.
• Dortmund’s Missed Opportunities: Dortmund hit the woodwork and squandered key chances, with Terzić later lamenting their lack of clinical finishing, per bleacherreport.com.

Ancelotti’s decision to trust his starting XI, despite early pressure, paid off, showcasing his tactical acumen, per bleacherreport.com. The match, watched by over 1.2 billion globally, was preceded by a Lenny Kravitz performance, adding to the spectacle, per UEFA.com.

Standout Players and Records

Real Madrid’s Heroes

• Dani Carvajal: Scored the opener and joined Paco Gento as the only players to start in six winning finals, per en.wikipedia.org.
• According to UEFA.com, Vincius Junior was named Player of the Season for his goal and overall performance.
• According to en.wikipedia.org, Carlo Ancelotti won his fifth Champions League title, extending his record as the most successful manager.
• According to UEFA.com, Toni Kroos, Luka Modri, and Nacho equaled Gento’s record of six titles.

Dortmund’s Efforts

• Mats Hummels: A defensive rock, crucial in the semi-finals, per UEFA.com.
• Edin Terzić: Stepped down post-final, feeling a “new era” was needed, with Nuri Şahin taking over, per en.wikipedia.org.

Real Madrid’s victory saw four players (Carvajal, Kroos, Modrić, Nacho) match Gento’s six-title record, while Ancelotti’s fifth title as manager cemented his legacy, per UEFA.com.

Financial and Competitive Rewards

Real Madrid’s triumph brought significant rewards, per sportingnews.com.:

• Prize Money: Up to €85.14 million, depending on match wins, from a €2.44 billion total pot. Performance-related earnings (37.5%) included €2.1 million per league phase win and €20 million for the title, per sportingnews.com.
• Competitive Perks: Qualification for the 2024 UEFA Super Cup (vs. According to UEFA.com, Atalanta), the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Dortmund, as runners-up, earned approximately €65 million, boosting their finances despite the loss, per sportingnews.com.

Impact on the Season

Real Madrid’s 2024 victory set the stage for the season, the 70th Champions League edition, which adopted a new 36-team league phase format, per UEFA.com. However, Real Madrid were eliminated by Arsenal in the 2024/2025 quarter-finals, ending their title defense, per en.wikipedia.org. The new format, increasing matches from 125 to 189, aimed to enhance competitiveness, with Arsenal and Barcelona emerging as 2025 semi-finalists, per UEFA.com.

The 2024 final’s legacy influenced discussions on format changes, with UEFA proposing no extra time in knockouts and same-country matchup bans for 2025/2026, per X posts (@corazonroj1903).

Historical Context and Real Madrid’s Dominance

Real Madrid’s 15 titles dwarf other clubs, with AC Milan (7) and Bayern Munich (6) trailing, per topendsports.com. Their 2024 win marked their ninth final victory since 1998, reinforcing their Champions League DNA, per usatoday.com. Since 1955, the competition has evolved into a €3.5 billion industry, with Real Madrid’s 18 finals (14 wins, 3 losses) unmatched, per UEFA.com.

Spain’s dominance, with 20 titles (Real Madrid 15, Barcelona 5), reflects LaLiga’s strength, per es.wikipedia.org. The 2024 final, the first between Real Madrid and Dortmund, added a new chapter to their storied rivalry, per en.wikipedia.org.

Fan and Media Reactions

The 2024 final generated massive engagement:

• Viewership: Over 1.2 billion watched globally, per UEFA’s 2024 report.
• Social Media: X posts celebrated Real Madrid’s win, with @PopBase noting their 15th title and @SkySportsNews highlighting the 2–0 scoreline, per.
• Sentiment: Fans praised Ancelotti’s composure and Carvajal’s unlikely heroics, though some criticized Dortmund’s missed chances, per bleacherreport.com.

Media outlets like Marca.com and AS.com lauded Real Madrid’s resilience, while Dortmund’s run inspired underdog narratives, per espndeportes.espn.com.

Where to Track Champions League Results

For fans seeking 2024 Champions League details:

1. UEFA.com: Official results, stats, and highlights, per UEFA.com.
2. ESPN (espndeportes.espn.com): Match recaps and player ratings.
3. AS.com and Marca.com: Spanish perspectives on Real Madrid’s triumph.
4. Sportingnews.com: Prize money and competitive insights, per sportingnews.com.
5. X Posts: @ChampionsLeague for match reports, @OurFavOnlineDoc for fan celebrations, per.

Challenges and Controversies

• Dortmund’s Finishing: Their inability to convert chances drew scrutiny, with Terzić’s departure fueling debate, per en.wikipedia.org.
• Format Transition: The 2023/2024 season was the last with the 32-team group stage, sparking mixed fan reactions to the 2024/2025 format, per UEFA.com.
• Ticket Prices: High Wembley ticket costs frustrated fans, per uwa.edu.au.

Conclusion

Real Madrid’s 2–0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final on June 1, 2024, at Wembley Stadium cemented their status as Europe’s greatest club, securing a record 15th title, per UEFA.com. Dani Carvajal’s header and Vinícius Júnior’s clincher, guided by Carlo Ancelotti’s record fifth title as manager, highlighted Real Madrid’s resilience against a spirited Dortmund side, per bleacherreport.com. The win, earning up to €85.14 million and spots in global competitions, underscored their financial and competitive dominance, per sportingnews.com. Despite Dortmund’s valiant run, Real Madrid’s legacy bolstered by players like Carvajal, Kroos, and Modrić matching six-title records remains unmatched, per en.wikipedia.org. Fans can relive the final on UEFA.com, ESPN, or AS.com, and follow @ChampionsLeague on X for updates, per. As the season unfolds with a new format, Real Madrid’s 2024 triumph, watched by 1.2 billion, will inspire future campaigns, per UEFA’s 2024 report. Whether you’re a Madridista or a football enthusiast, this victory is a testament to the Champions League’s enduring magic.

References:

• UEFA.com: Final Results and Player Awards
• en.wikipedia.org: 2024 Final Details
• sportingnews.com: Prize Money Breakdown
• bleacherreport.com: Tactical Analysis
• usatoday.com: Team Context
• @PopBase, @SkySportsNews, @ChampionsLeague on X: Fan Reactions

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