Vini Jr. hat-trick inspires stunning comeback
3 week(s)
Real Madrid delivered another unforgettable European night at the Bernabéu. Up against it at 0-2 down with 60 minutes played, after Malen and Gittens had found the net for Borussia Dortmund, that unique ability to make the impossible seem possible came to the fore once again, flipping the game on its head with 5 goals in 34 breathtaking minutes. Rüdiger cut the deficit with a towering header on 60', before Vini Jr. made it 2-2 just two minutes later. With 83 minutes gone, Lucas Vázquez completed the turnaround, before Vini Jr. treated the crowd to a wonderful individual moment to make it 4-2. The Brazilian wasn't done yet though, capping off a sublime display by completing his hat-trick with another moment of magic in injury time.
The game began at a languid pace, with long periods of possession for both sides. Things sprung into life with about half an hour gone though, when Malen struck for the visitors. Then, four minutes later, Gittens doubled their lead to 0-2. Our team reacted quickly, and could have hit back on 36’ when Vini Jr.'s cross found Bellingham running from deep, but the Englishman's header could only find Kobel's gloves. In the next move, Rodrygo's left-footed effort on the half-turn crashed back off the crossbar and the rebound fell to Bellinham, who again found the woodwork with his follow-up effort.
Spectacular second half
Half-time came around with the scoreboard reading 0-2, but the second half would turn into a whole different ball game. Ancelotti's boys flew out the blocks and went after the opposition, coming close to getting one back on 53'. Mendy's cross was half-cleared by Schlotterbeck but the ball fell to Lucas Vázquez and Kobel did brilliantly to keep out the defender's strike. He was helpless seven minutes later though, as Mbappé set up Rüdiger, who rose highest to power home a stunning header. Our team were running riot now and with 62 on the clock, the game was level. Modrić picked out Mbappé's fine run but as the Frenchman shaped to shoot, Schlotterbeck nicked the ball away from him, only for it to fall at the boots of Vini Jr., who turned it into the back of the net. VAR ultimately gave the goal after the referee had ruled it out for offside.
The European champions had the bit between their teeth, and the opposition were struggling to hold firm against the combined pressure of Ancelotti's side and the Bernabéu crowd. The chances continued to flow, as Mbappé received the ball off balance in the area with 79 minutes gone, and having shaped to cross, he cut inside Süle and got a shot off with his left but Kobel was equal to it. Beier then had a chance to strike for the visitors three minutes later, but Courtois got his angles right.
Vini Jr. completes his hat-trick
From that point on, our team proved unplayable. Lucas Vázquez rounded off the comeback, making it 3-2 on 83’ with a shot across goal from inside the area, before handing the floor to Vini Jr. The Brazilian picked up the ball in his own half on 86’, carried it to the edge of the opposition box and smashed a delightful right-footed effort into the back of the net. There was still time for his special night to get even better though. In injury time, he took hold of the ball again, evaded the attentions of GroB and Waldemar Anton and fired a fierce left-footed effort past the goalkeeper. A hat-trick for the Brazilian and Real Madrid's second win in this year's Champions League.