ROYAL EXCELLENCE: Toni Kroos the Magnificent; Stellar performances by Vini Jr. and Carvajal drive Real Madrid to their 15th Champions League title.

As Real Madrid won the Champions League once more, they had to rely on luck.Perhaps it’s the weight of history alone, perhaps it’s the men in white’s dark sorcery, or perhaps it’s just plain confidence.

But Real Madrid always finds a way as long as Old Big Ears is a part of the structure.Vinicius Jr wheels away in delight after his goalCredit: ReutersDani Carvajal headed Real Madrid in front in the 74th minuteCredit: EPAJude Bellingham assisted Vinicius Jr’s goalCredit: ReutersThe Brazilian is now a leading contender to win the Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersReal Madrid claim their 15th Champions League titleCredit: Getty16Dortmund were made to rue their missed chancesCredit: GettyIt was misery for the German side who suffered a second Champions League final defeat at WembleyCredit: Reuters

The German team’s second Champions League final loss at Wembley was agonising.Source: Reuters

It makes sense why Jude Bellingham wanted to visit the Bernabeu so much.

After a late headed goal by Dani Carvajal, the Englishman set up Vinicius Junior for Real’s second goal.

At the age of 20, the Birmingham youngster is a club European champion. And how about on a global scale as well?

After Vinicius netted, Bellingham fell to his knees.

Carlo Ancelotti came on as a substitute, and he blew kisses to the Madristas who were serenading him.

Despite being outplayed by Borussia Dortmund’s underdogs for the majority of this Champions League Final at a boisterous Wembley, the Spanish aristocracy managed to win their 15th European Cup.

In this most important of matches, Real won eight times in a row with their big-eared trophy.

In fact, since losing to Aberdeen in the 1983 Cup Winner’s Cup, which was won by Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, they have never lost a European final.

Although Jadon Sancho, Bellingham’s fellow Englishman and Manchester United misfit, had a better game, Real Madrid’s master of midfield could not have cared less.

In homage of their Brummie idol, Real’s supporters walked out of the Wembley Park tube station while chanting “Hey Jude.”

Dortmund’s marching army bounced, yelled, and waved enormous banners as they imitated the iconic yellow wall of the Westfalenstadion inside the stadium.

Real Madrid players celebrate at the final whistle Credit: AFPToni Kross had a dream farewell to his club career Credit: GettyReal Madrid lifted the trophy on the Wembley pitch rather than the Royal BoxCredit: Getty

Despite their team’s fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga, they advanced to the final by defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals and overcoming a Group of Death.

Following a five-minute performance by Lenny Kravitz—why do they even bother?—the first few minutes were chaotic, with four different pitch invaders interfering with the game.

Despite passing back and forth with two teammates, Federico Valverde’s shot went wide.

Subsequently, Julian Brandt missed a clear lay-off from Niclas Fullkrug.

While Eduardo Camavinga was establishing Real Madrid’s midfield rhythm as the anchor, Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi had the first clear look at goal.

The striker was passed through clean, but Thibaut Courtois, the goalkeeper—dubbed “f***ing Courtois” by Jurgen Klopp after his heroics against Liverpool in the 2022 championship—advanced and drove the forward out wide, where his effort was blocked.

Unexpectedly, Real was swaying. Ian Maatsen, a Chelsea loanee for Borussia, put Fullkrug through, but before the ball could be scrambled away, the centre forward blasted against the inside of the post.

Sancho then sprinted forward and passed Adeyemi, whose angled effort Courtois blocked after Fullkrug failed to make a proper contact with the rebound.

Real were deserved winners and could have won by moreReal Madrid overcame a first half Borussia Dortmund onslaught to winBellingham played a key role as he claimed his first Champions League winSancho played well but could not prevent his side from losing

Real’s situation was so dire that even the world’s coolest footballer, Carl Ancelotti, began to lose his calm on the touchline.

Vinicius Junior was booked for a late push on custodian Gregor Kobel as Real Madrid was starting to look desperate.

From his place on the left of Real Madrid’s midfield, Bellingham was finding it difficult to have an impact, while Sancho was enjoying himself immensely on the Dortmund right.

Then, Courtois leaped low to deflect a shot by Marcel Sabitzer.

There was a crazy atmosphere at Wembley, with both sets of supporters participating in a huge bounce-off at either end.

Fortunately, Vinicius avoided a second yellow card for a dive; instead, Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic warned Nico Schlotterbeck for his response.

While Sabitzer received a booking as well, the German team was controlling the game without taking any chances, which is always dangerous when playing Real Madrid.

Another win for Wembley security, a pyrotechnic display in the Dortmund end set the tone for the second half.

Kobel controversially saved Toni Kroos’ free kick, while Hummels was punished for assaulting Vinicius, who was earning a free pass from the referee.

Terzic’s team was holding Real back for extended stretches of time, though, so Real was still unable to gain control of the game.

Courtois made another save after Sancho’s soaring pass found Adeyemi, whose centre was met by a header from Fullkrug.

Bellingham was put in a deep-lying false nine role by Ancelotti, and soon after, the England player was set up by a Vinicius centre, but he was unable to connect and was called offside.

Terzic threw Marco Reus on for his farewell show, but Vinicius was beginning to show signs of life and even managed to force a corner by nutmeg Julian Ryderson.

Real was leading coming around the next corner. Carvajal leaped to score with a glance header after Kroos’ delivery found its way to the near post; Hummels was unable to stop it at the line.

It was quintessential Real—second-best for a long time, yet nevertheless managing to make it work.

Then Bellingham wasted a great opportunity to finish it off, slashing wide when he ought to have buried a Camavinga cut-back.

However, he was soon setting Vinicius up for a goal with an angled drive that Kobel assisted on.

Although Real was late to the celebration, they saved their best for last, as Fullkrug’s late attempt was disqualified for offside.

Real Madrid continue to dominate Europe’s elite competitionCarlo Ancelotti has now won 28 trophies