With the script written, we headed to Wembley for our Framed series to take in Germany v Spain in the Champions League, brought to focus through Borussia Dortmund attempting to stop Real Madrid from making it 15 Champions League titles (spoiler: they couldn’t).
Effectively bringing down the curtain on the 24/25 season, fans from Germany and Spain invaded London this weekend, as Wembley played host to the Champions League final, for which underdogs Borussia Dortmund were taking on perennial champions, Real Madrid. With Toni Kroos having announced his retirement from the game following this summer’s Euro ’24, and Marco Reus equally calling time on his era at Borussia Dortmund, there was already an emotional heft to the occasion, and that was felt throughout the stands. But there could be only one winner, and lady luck, it seems, was smiling on the German in the Spanish side’s ranks.
It was as many had predicted; Dortmund came with a lot of verve and vigour, and they dominated the chances in the first half. But, playing into the cliche of not taking their chances, it was Madrid who took the lead through a Dani Carvajal header. That was followed up by a cool finish from Vinicius Jr., who latched onto a through ball from Jude Bellingham following a Dortmund mistake.
Though some may see the Madrid victory as boring, the narrative should focus on the achievements of Bellingham, playing his first season as a Los Blancos player, Ancelotti, who celebrates an unprecedented fifth Champions League win, and Toni Kroos, who brings an end to his club career in the most glorious fashion.
Photography by Giacomo Cosua for SoccerBible.
