Vinicius Junior netted a stunning hat-trick as reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 on Tuesday. This victory followed Madrid’s surprising defeat to Lille in their previous European outing.
In a repeat of last season’s final, Carlo Ancelotti’s side displayed a dominant second-half performance at the Santiago Bernabéu, overcoming an initial 2-0 deficit against the Bundesliga outfit, who took the lead through Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens.
Madrid clawed back into the match with Antonio Rudiger scoring first, followed by Vinicius, who found the net twice in quick succession. Lucas Vazquez added a third goal in the 83rd minute, before Vinicius capped off his hat-trick with two impressive finishes, ensuring that Dortmund’s perfect start to the tournament came to an end.
Despite the notable absence of midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who has retired, and the ongoing integration of Kylian Mbappe into the squad, Madrid struggled for balance and consistency earlier in the season. Ancelotti reflected on the team’s performance, emphasizing the need to match their second-half intensity from the start of matches.
Dortmund opened the scoring when Malen finished coolly after Julian Brandt regained possession on the edge of the box, and Serhou Guirassy found him with a precise pass. Four minutes later, Malen turned provider, racing past Ferland Mendy to cross for Gittens, who scored with ease.
Madrid struggled to break through during the first half, with England international Jude Bellingham—facing his former club—failing to convert a header that went straight to goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, and he later hit the crossbar after Rodrygo’s effort was saved.
The hosts came out strong in the second half, with Kobel denying Lucas Vazquez before Rudiger equalized with a powerful header from Mbappe’s cross in the 60th minute. Just two minutes later, Vinicius scored to level the match, taking advantage after Mbappe was tackled in the area.
Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin, a former Madrid player, made substitutions after the goals, but his team struggled to cope with Madrid’s relentless attack. Vazquez scored the third after Rodrygo kept the ball in play, and Vinicius added his fourth with a brilliant solo effort, before completing his hat-trick with a well-placed shot past Kobel.
