Champions League Scoop: Ballon d'Or-Bound Vinicius Completes Dortmund Demolition For Real Madrid In Clasico Build-Up Vs Barcelona

Warming up for El Grand Clasico in the Spanish capital on Wednesday, Vinicius Junior fired a stunning hat-trick to complete the demolition job for Kylian Mbappe-starrer Real Madrid against a revenge-hungry Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabeu. Learning to play with superstar Mbappe in the French captain's debut season, the reigning European champions registered another unforgettable come-from-behind win against Dortmund in the 2024-2025 season of the UEFA Champions League. Goals from defender Antonio Rudiger and veteran Lucas Vasquez followed by the Vinicius hat-trick sent a packed Bernabeu into ruptures last night.

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