Vinicius Junior was in sublime form for Real Madrid in a dramatic Victory 5-2 against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Madrid had surprisingly gone into the break 2-0 up before a flurry of five goals in the final 30 minutes secured three vital points for the Whites.
Carlo Ancelotti has mainly his star man Vinicius to thank for those three points, with the Ballon d’Or favorite scoring an impressive hat-trick in front of a raucous Santiago Bernabéu crowd.
This is how social networks reacted to the dramatic evening of the Champions League in Madrid.
Real Madridexpected, he dominated the opening process at the Santiago Bernabéu, but his lack of cutting edge in the final third was quite evident.
This lack of cutting edge – which meant Madrid had no shots on target in the opening half hour – allowed Borussia Dortmund to grow into the game and eventually take the lead through Donyell Malen.
It was a very well worked goal, but so avoidable for the home team as well…
1-0 Borussia Dortmund.
DONYELL MALEN HAS PASSED THE POT TO SANTIAGO BERNABEU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE DUTCH PLAYERS ARE ON FIRE TONIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🇳🇱🌟 pic.twitter.com/CxolGivJix
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 22, 2024
Having Mendy and Vázquez as a full-back pairing in 2024 at a club like Real Madrid is embarrassing in itself.
— Dr. Yash (@YashRMFC) October 22, 2024
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, LUCAS Vazquez is a funny guy, he makes funny videos, he’s a good mascot for the club because of the content, but please, for God’s sake, keep him away from RB. Can’t defend. It shuts down in almost every game. It’s costing us goals.
— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) October 22, 2024
Madrid’s defensive shortcomings were capitalized on again just minutes later when Malen found Jamie Bynoe-Gittens unmarked at the back post with a low cross.
2-0.
The Santiago Bernabéu was stunned.
Jamie Gittens is the youngest Englishman ever to score against Real Madrid in the Champions League (20 and 75 d). 🏴 pic.twitter.com/67shEC1QDk
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 22, 2024
Jamie Gittens (20 years, 75 days) is the youngest English player ever to score against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
What a move was the 2-0 to Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabéu. pic.twitter.com/HAoH6OWqbN
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 22, 2024
No Real Madrid player was spared the fury of the fans after a rather abysmal first-half display, not even superstars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
Both hit the crossbar when they really should have scored before the half time whistle.
Real Madrid hit the crossbar TWICE in one possession after efforts from Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham 😳
The best of the margins. pic.twitter.com/rR2uzBAGQw
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 22, 2024
The experiment is over 🔥
Jude Bellingham is back playing his best position pic.twitter.com/YjFFDEbFl9
— – (@MusialaEra) October 22, 2024
Mbappe is not tracking.
Vinicius jr is not following.
Bellingham always sinking.
Ancelotti chewing gum.— Sakhile Mpungose (@sakhimpungose) October 22, 2024
In typical Real Madrid fashion, the home team came back into the game in the second half.
Antonio Rudiger would make it 2-1 in the 60th minute with a header…
1-2.
RUDIGER TOOK ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRILLIANT ASSISTANCE MBAPPÉ AND THE MAGAZINE HAS BEGUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/glwvO7x2oU
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) October 22, 2024
And two minutes later, of course, the 2-2.
The second, which excited the Santiago Bernbeu, was received by Vinicius Junior.
REAL MADRID STORM IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 🔥
▫️ 60′ Antonio Rudiger (1-2)
▫️ 62′ Vinicius (2-2)THAT’S WHAT THEY DO IN THIS CONTEST! pic.twitter.com/0lIVLdwym0
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 22, 2024
⚪️✨ Vinicius Jr scores his sixth goal of the season, first Champions League goal of the season…
…and Real Madrid make it 2-2! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/pZybW0EStu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 22, 2024
After 20 minutes of constant pressure, the inevitable happened.
Lucas Vazquez made amends for his earlier defensive mishaps to score a brilliant goal to give his side a 3-2 lead.
THIS IS REAL MADRID!
LUCAS VAZQUEZ MAKES IT 3-2! pic.twitter.com/JGgNrx7YqB
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) October 22, 2024
Shortly after, the 4-2.
Vinicius Junior ran 80 meters up the pitch, cutting in from the left flank, and fired into the top right corner of the net.
He is the best player in the world right now.
If you still don’t think Vinicius deserves the ball, football is not for you. pic.twitter.com/NA1lqaltFs
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) October 22, 2024
Vini wasn’t done there either.
With a super saiyan in the last 20 minutes of the game, the Brazilian completed his hat trick by beating two defenders and firing the ball into the net from the left side of the box.
he is Also well
THE STATE OF ANOR VINICIUS AFTER ANOTHER ICONIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PERFORMANCE 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AkAoy7fLGC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 22, 2024
