Vincius Junior netted a stunning second half hat-trick to secure a dramatic comeback win for Real Madrid over Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Dortmund had taken a shock 2-0 lead in the first half through Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, however Los Blancos came roaring back in the second half.
Two goals in two minutes from Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius Junior drew Carlo Ancelotti’s side level, before Lucas Vazquez and two more stunning goals from Vinicius secured all three points – and potentially a Ballon d’Or for Vini too.
Real Madrid player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – Couldn’t do much about either goal he conceded, but made an important save to keep the score down late in the first half.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 6/10 – Defensive disasterclass in the first half from the de facto right-back. He was at fault for both goals. Made amends by scoring at the other end in the second half.
CB: Eder Militao – 5/10 – Not quite at the races. He failed to win a single tackle throughout the game.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 7/10 – He always pops up with an important goal, doesn’t he? The centre-back thumped home Madrid’s first of the evening to give them a lifeline.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 4/10 – All at sea for both goal Madrid conceded. One can see why they’re so heavily linked with Alphonso Davies.
CM: Federico Valverde – 6/10 – The game passed him by in the first half, but he improved in the second.
CM: Luka Modric – 6/10 – The best of Madrid’s midfield three. Used the ball well (92% pass completion rate) and worked hard off the ball too (tallied up nine ball recoveries).
CM: Jude Bellingham – 5/10 – He bagged an assist, but he just can’t seem to buy a goal at the moment – hitting the crossbar and spurning another great headed chance in the first 45.
RW: Rodrygo Goes – 6/10 – The quietest of the Madrid forward three.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – 7/10 – Quiet in the first half, but his lovely cross for the first goal set Madrid on their way to an important comeback.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 10/10 – He’s the Ballon d’Or favourite for a reason. Bagged the equaliser and then went super saiyan in the final ten minutes, completing his hat-trick with two sublime goals.
Substitutes
SUB: Eduardo Camavinga (71′ for Modric) – 6/10
SUB: Aurelien Tchouameni (85′ for Rodrygo) – N/A
SUB: Dani Ceballos (90′ for Bellingham) – N/A
SUB: Arda Guler (90′ for Mbappe) – N/A
Manager – Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – There’s still question marks over how the midfield is set up, but when you have Vinicius Junior in your team it doesn’t really matter, does it?
