Vinicius’ classic hat-trick in the second half helped Real Madrid come back to beat Dortmund 5-2 in the third round of the Champions League on the morning of October 23.

The match between Real Madrid and Dortmund recreated the 2024 Champions League final 5 months ago. At that time, Real Madrid showed Dortmund the mettle and class of the most successful team in the tournament. Coach Carlo Ancelotti and his team controlled the game, taking advantage of the attacking situations to win 2-0, raising the championship trophy for the 15th time in history. Coming to the rematch in the 2024-2025 season, Real Madrid’s confidence was even greater when Kylian Mbappe joined the “White Vulture” squad. Coach Carlo Ancelotti also placed the French player at the top of the attack line, supporting him were the duo that made Dortmund’s defense sweat, Vinicius and Rodrygo.

For their part, Dortmund have made many changes in personnel compared to the European Cup final. Unlike their lackluster performance in the Bundesliga, Dortmund are expected to bring many difficulties to Real Madrid when they are flourishing with an impressive start in the Champions League. Two devastating victories against Celtic and Club Brugge KV, especially the 7-0 thrashing of Celtic, show the formidable strength of coach Nuri Sahin and his team.

Dortmund is on fire to avenge their loss to Real Madrid in the 2024 Champions League final.

True to the experts’ predictions, Dortmund stunned Real Madrid with a completely different approach to the match 5 months ago. The German representative attacked with speed, efficiency and precision. After 45 minutes, the away team had more possession of the ball than Real Madrid, fired 5 shots and all 5 were on target. Coach Nuri Sahin and his team also unexpectedly took a 2-0 lead, leaving the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium speechless.

In this half, Dortmund’s winger duo Donyell Malen and Bynoe-Gittens played very well, directly bringing home two goals. In the 30th minute, Serhou Guirassy assisted Donyell Malen to open the scoring. Just 4 minutes later, Donyell Malen shone again, assisting Bynoe-Gittens to beat Thibaut Courtois. Notably, in both of Dortmund’s goals, Real Madrid’s defense was unfocused and did not cover each other well enough.

The defense did not play well, Real Madrid’s attack also lacked efficiency in the first 45 minutes. “Los Blancos” shot 8 times – twice as many as Dortmund but only 1 shot was on target. The most dangerous situation Real Madrid created in the first half was Jude Bellingham’s shot hitting the crossbar in the 44th minute.

Dortmund attacked effectively in the first half and led 2-0.

 

Backed into a corner, Real Madrid pushed up their attacking formation in the second half. Coach Carlo Ancelotti made several changes compared to the first half, most notably encouraging his defenders to push forward. This change immediately paid off when centre-back Antonio Rüdiger brought Real Madrid back to within 1-2 in the 60th minute.

With the goal, Real Madrid’s confidence returned and the home team’s attack began to play more effectively, opening the way for a classic comeback. Vinicius – the player who assisted Antonio Rüdiger – took advantage of the opportunity in the 62nd minute to help Real Madrid equalize the score at 2-2. In the 83rd minute, Lucas Vázquez took advantage of a mistake in Dortmund’s defense on the right wing, giving Real Madrid a 3-2 lead.

Real Madrid’s two defenders, Lucas Vázquez (number 17) and Antonio Rüdiger, rose up and immediately scored. 

 

Conceding three goals in a row, Dortmund lost their spirit and could barely get the ball up. The visitors’ midfield was suffocated and had to brace themselves against Real Madrid’s stormy attacks. Despite their best efforts, in the 86th and 90+3rd minutes, Dortmund’s defense still became reluctant “clowns” to help Vinicius complete his hat-trick, sealing a convincing 5-2 victory for Real Madrid.

Notably, Vinicius has scored 4 goals against Dortmund in the last 2 matches. In the 2024 Champions League final, Vinicius also scored, helping Real Madrid secure a 2-0 victory.

Vinicius had a classy hat-trick in the second half

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Dortmund 5-2, earning their second win in the 2024-2025 Champions League. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team has 6 points after 3 matches, temporarily rising to 9th place in the overall rankings. Meanwhile, Dortmund, despite losing the match, still has 6 points, ranking 5th.