Vinicius Junior matches incredible Lionel Messi record in Champions League final as Real Madrid make club history
Vinicius Junior matched an incredible record set by Lionel Messi as Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Goals from the Brazilian and Dani Carvajal in the second half sealed a 15th European Cup success for Los Blancos.
The teams were locked at 0-0 heading into the break in London, but that didn't exactly tell the story of a fast-paced first half.
It was Dortmund who had the majority of the chances and control over the final, with Karim Adeyemi sending an early warning sign when he rounded Thibaut Courtois before his touch narrowly evaded him.
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Niclas Fullkrug then slid the ball under Courtois and onto the post, but a goal for the Germany international would have been ruled out for offside.
Conversely, Real failed to have a shot on target in what was a disappointing first half performance from the European final specialists.
But they came out much stronger in the second half, with Carvajal heading into the top corner of the goal from Toni Kroos' corner.
Real Madrid have hit Borussia Dortmund with a quick-fire double π₯
β Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 1, 2024
Vinicius Jr doubles the lead for Real Madrid... and then does Jude Bellingham's celebration π₯π pic.twitter.com/FHgLfhE1yp
And Vinicius made it 2-0 late on after slotting the ball beyond Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
In doing so, the Brazilian matched a record set by the great Lionel Messi.
The Ballon d'Or contender has been directly involved in 22 goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League before turning 24 - with 11 goals and 11 assists.
The only other player in football history to have achieved the same feat in the Champions League is Messi - meaning he joins an exclusive club.
Real also made club history of their own - by going the entire Champions League campaign unbeaten for the first time ever.
It was another remarkable night for Carlo Ancelotti's side, who have secured yet another European triumph with a clinical second half performance.
Topics:Β Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Real Madrid, Football, Vinicius Junior
Ryan Smart