Preparing for El Grand Clasico in the Spanish capital on Wednesday, Vinicius Junior delivered an outstanding performance by scoring a hat-trick to lead Real Madrid, led by Kylian Mbappe, to a decisive victory over a determined Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazilian forward showcased his skills alongside Mbappe, who is in his first season with the club, as Real Madrid staged an impressive comeback to secure another memorable win in the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League season. Goals from Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vasquez, in addition to Vinicius' hat-trick, sent the Bernabeu crowd into a frenzy as they celebrated a thrilling victory.
Did the 5-2 scoreline reflect Real's dominance over Dortmund? The visitors almost avenged the heartbreaking Champions League final trounce in the revamped 36-team tournament. Two quick goals from Nuri Sahin-coached Yellow Army handed the Bundesliga giants a healthy lead over the darlings of the European tournament. When Los Meringues were busy recovering from Donyell Malen's 30th-minute opener, Jamie Gittens (34' minutes) produced a Dortmud sucker punch as the 'Ball Game' club enjoyed bragging rights at half-time in Madrid.
Comeback Kings in Champions League
In the Champions League, nobody does it better. "Get one, and we'll come back again," Vinicius reckoned after pioneering a typical Madrid comeback at the temple of football. At half-time, the 0-2 scoreline signalled a new dawn, but Real Madrid wallpapered the same-old story by snatching another humdinger in the Champions League. In less than two minutes, Madrid restored parity with quick-fire goals from Rudiger (60') and Vinicius (62'). After versatile Vasquez (83') netted the all-important third goal for the fifteen-time European champions, the floor belonged to mercurial Vinicius, who is gunning for his maiden Ballon d'Or crown this season.
Vinícius Júnior's solo stunner
Singo's long-range strike
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Vinicius vs Rodri: Real talisman is Ballon d'Or bound
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Dishing out a goal-scoring masterclass, Vinicius not only scored like his idol - Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Ballon d'Or frontrunner also celebrated in CR7 fashion at the Bernabeu. Hitting Ronaldo's iconic shirt celebration, the Brazilian superstar demolished Dortmund by completing his first-ever Champions League hat-trick in injury time. For the record, this was his third hat-trick for Real Madrid across competitions. The 24-year-old is the third Brazilian for Real to net a hat-trick after Ronaldo (2003) and Rodrygo (2019) in the Champions League. Vinicius or Manchester City's Rodri, who is winning the Golden Ball?
Fun times coming.
Tonight Real Madrid are playing against Dortmund in the CL.
El Clasico next on Saturday.
On Monday Vinicius is expected to receive the Ballon D'Or.
The first game after that is against Valencia on Nov 2. pic.twitter.com/vOIqMXAMrd
El Clasico loading as Real break Barca's Champions League record
Real bagged their second win at Bernabeu after going 0-2 down in the Champions League since Porto lifted the famous trophy. Madrid outclassed AS Roma 4-2 back in 2004 after conceding twice in the Champions League at home. Vinicius' treble against Dortmund is also the 15th hat-trick by a Real Madrid player in the UEFA Champions League. Thanks to the in-form Brazilian, Madrid have moved past Barcelona, who have 14 hat-tricks in Europe's biggest competition at club level. Madrid's arch-rivals Barcelona will have their Clasico dress rehearsals against the mighty Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Thursday.