The Wembley stadium had to wait almost 20 minutes but the 2023/24 Champions League final paid off eventually, even if with no big surprise. Dortmund’s start impressed everyone but the Real Madrid “monster ghost” showed up later as usual to secure another trophy. In the end Toni Kroos’ final performance as a club player was proven as classy as his whole career.
A slow start, followed by rush of yellow adrenalin
The pre-match show was cool but the Final did not really start with a bang. Sure, both teams took two shots each in the first 15 minutes, we’ve seen worse, but it’s just stats, as they had just 0,4 xG combined. Real Madrid led the possession (62%) in the early stages until then.
Nevertheless things were about to change, with emotions rising high between minute 20 and 23. First it was Adeyemi breaking through Madrid’s lines, following a classy through pass from Hummels, only to overstretch his final face-off with Courtois and miss a good angle to score. Madrid’s defence didn’t have more than three minutes to breathe because it was then time for Fulkrug to hit the post and make a bolder statement about Dortmund’s intentions.
Dortmund reached minute 30 with enough Expected Goals to be leading by two goals (1,51, more than their average per match in the Champions League, 1,27) but the game was still nil-nil.
Half-time came and Dortmund had reasons to feel frustration. The Germans amassed eight shots (one on the woodwork), worth two expected goals (1,71) but they couldn’t find Courtois’ net, only his post. Real Madrid could have a breather and hear Ancelotti out, after heading to the locker room with no shots on goal and their last attempt long gone, on minute 15. Maatsen, Hummels, Adeyemi and Brandt led the GoalPoint Ratings, which made perfect sense.
Madrid finally shows up, as expected
The second half started with “farewell” Kroos signing Madrid’s first shot on target, with a great free kick that reminded everyone why Kobel has been praised as the best keeper in the Champions League this season. Carvajal followed his lead, threatening a headed goal from a Kroos corner kick and suddenly Madrid had already created more danger than during the whole first half. Was it a sign?
It was. Madrid quietly took control of the match, with Dortmund’s last attempt happening on minute 63. Eleven minutes later… Carvajal showed up again, heading a corner kick from Kroos (again) and opening the score. Madrid was ahead, pressing Dortmund without impressing, as expected.
The final blow came nine minutes later. Dortmund lost the plot a couple of times and one of them was fatal, with two stars, a bit “invisible” until then, partnering up: Bellingham won possession and served Vinícius Junior for the second blow on Dortmund’s dreams. Madrid was still behind in Expected Goals (1,14) but had done enough in the second half to claim “their” usual title, offering Toni Kroos his sweetest possible “goodbye”.
The Final’s GoalPoint Ratings & Stats
The GoalPoint’s MVP: Toni Kroos 👑
What a way to go. Kroos led a club career on his own terms, always taking bold decisions that were later proven right (eg. moving from Bayern to Madrid). Tonight Toni decided to hang his boots after a Champions League final at “only” 34 years old, not only winning the game but leading by example. He opened the route to the triumph with an assist and left the pitch at minute 81 with 108 actions (top of the match) and missing only three of his 92 passes! What a boss. Congrats Toni and thank you very much for the classy career.
