Borussia Dortmund’s long wait for a Champions League title continues after a heartbreaking defeat to Real Madrid. The hopes of sending off Marco Reus with a win faded as Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. Reus bid farewell to Dortmund after 12 years, but they could not secure the win in his final match. Despite a strong start, Dortmund fell short against the seasoned Real Madrid, who clinched their 15th European title. The Opta supercomputer gave Dortmund a slim chance of winning, but they started aggressively. Dortmund had the highest expected goals (xG) figure in the first half, surpassing any team in Champions League history. Two scoring opportunities went begging for Dortmund. The defense held strong, keeping Madrid at bay until halftime. Julian Brandt was instrumental, creating numerous chances on goal. The second half saw Toni Kroos equaling his feat, creating four chances. Real Madrid struck first, denying Dortmund a chance to equalize. Dortmund’s goalkeeper made vital saves to keep them in the game. A mistake late in the game resulted in Real Madrid’s second goal. Dortmund’s final hopes were dashed, with a loss marking their fifth final defeat. Dortmund has struggled in major European finals, losing their last three in a row.
