Marco Reus' Final Dortmund Match Ends In Champions League Final Loss To Madrid

Borussia Dortmund's aspirations of securing a Champions League title for Marco Reus ended in disappointment as they were defeated 2-0 by Real Madrid on Saturday. Reus, who has spent 12 years with his boyhood club, had announced that the Wembley final would be his last match for Dortmund. Despite a dominant first-half performance, Dortmund could not overcome Real Madrid, who clinched their 15th European title with late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior.

Edin Terzic's side entered the match with only a 21.4 per cent chance of victory according to the Opta supercomputer. However, they started strongly, aiming to defy the odds. Dortmund's expected goals (xG) figure of 1.68 in the first half was the highest recorded by any team in a Champions League final since 2013-14 and the highest against Madrid in the first half this season. Niclas Fullkrug and Karim Adeyemi had significant chances, with Fullkrug hitting the post and Adeyemi forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois after missing an earlier one-on-one opportunity.

Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Real Madrid - HT

Somehow it's still goalless at Wembley despite a strong showing from Dortmund in the first half.

Dortmund's xG of 1.68 is the biggest by a team in the first half of a Champions League final on record (since 2013-14). pic.twitter.com/tkijw2DNtr

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 1, 2024

Dortmund's defence was equally impressive, preventing Real Madrid from registering a single shot on target in the first half. This marked the first time since Tottenham versus Liverpool in 2019 that a team failed to achieve this in a Champions League final. Julian Brandt was instrumental for Dortmund, creating four chances—the most in a Champions League final since Luka Modric's seven against Atletico Madrid in 2015-16. Toni Kroos matched this tally in the second half.

Second-Half Setbacks

Reus made his 424th and final appearance for Borussia Dortmund when he was substituted on in the 72nd minute, hoping for a memorable farewell. However, it was another departing German who made an impact. Kroos, playing his last match for Real Madrid before retirement, assisted Carvajal for Madrid's opening goal just two minutes later. Gregor Kobel, who saved 46 of the 56 shots on target he faced this season, made three crucial saves to keep Dortmund in contention at 1-0.

Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund were the better side for a large part of the game, but Real Madrid win in the end.

They always find a way to win.pic.twitter.com/KyBVLc1Gjy

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 1, 2024

Late Concession

An error by Ian Maatsen led to Real Madrid's second goal. Jude Bellingham assisted Vinicius Junior to score, marking the first time this season that Dortmund conceded in the final 15 minutes of a Champions League game. This defeat means Dortmund have now won only one of their last five finals in major European competitions—3-1 against Juventus in the 1997 Champions League—and have lost their last three finals consecutively (against Feyenoord in 2002, Bayern Munich in 2013, and Real Madrid in 2024).