Vinícius Jr scored two goals, along with Mario Götze and Robert Lewandowski of Borussia Dortmund, to send Real Madrid on a great comeback for a 4-2 win at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in a dramatic UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday.
Dortmund began with a flying start, and it did not come as any surprise when they took the lead in the 15th minute: Julian Brandt scored from a defensive mistake by Madrid. The German team held on to the lead until the 37th minute when Vinícius Jr. equalized, leaving a swath of defenders before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
That confidence coupled with a powerful header from the edge of the box, that had kept Dortmund’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot, before half-time was his second goal. The first half ended with the advantage of 2-1 to Madrid, who turned everything around.
In the 55th minute, Vinícius completed a hat-trick with a precise finish of a cross from Rodrygo in a swift counterattack he had started with Eduardo Camavinga.
Dortmund fought back again in the 70th minute through Sébastien Haller, but that was short-lived, as Real Madrid again increased their cushion to two goals when Joselu provided a clinical header from a corner kick in the 80th minute to seal the match for Real.
Vinícius Jr.’s hat-trick wasn’t enough only to have Madrid win the game, but for him, it set the milestone for him to shine as one of the brightest stars in the competition. He was pretty elated by the post-game comments when he said, “I’m just happy to help the team. We showed great character and determination to come back and win.”
For Real Madrid, then, the win solidifies them as the team to watch in their Champions League group and gives them a bounce of self-confidence after another title run.
Dortmund are saddened but will look to get back on their feet and start counting their next matches.
As the Champions League continues, Vinícius Jr. will be very important for Madrid, a club which, on the biggest European football stage, is managing again to show its worth.
