Bellingham becomes Champions League winner as Mourinho theory proven right

Jude Bellingham became a Champions League winner with Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night.

Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior scored in the last 16 minutes as Madrid claimed European football’s biggest prize for the 15th time.

It completes a remarkable debut season for Bellingham, who scored 19 goals in 28 matches and won LaLiga Player of the Season as Madrid also bagged the Spanish top-flight title.

However, the Bernabeu giants will consider themselves lucky after a dominant Dortmund missed a host of chances in the first-half of the Wembley showpiece.

Working on punditry for TNT Sports, legendary manager Jose Mourinho was proven right when assessing the first-half.

Mourinho said: “It’s very rare for a team to have this many chances in a game of this level.

“Dortmund will regret their missed chances because in the second half Real Madrid can only improve.”

Karim Adeyemi missed a glorious one-on-one in the first-half before Niclas Fullkrug hit the post, although the striker appeared to be offside.

Madrid did not have a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes but Mourinho’s theory was validated when the second-half became a more even contest.

Toni Kroos grabbed a crucial assist in his last ever domestic game before retiring as his corner found the head of Carvajal in the 74th minute.

Then Bellingham capitalised on a misplaced pass by Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen, feeding Vinicius, who put the game beyond Dortmund’s reach in the 83rd minute.

Having reached the pinnacle of European club football before the age of 21, Bellingham was close to tears after the match.

“I have always dreamed of playing in these games,” said the England midfielder.

“You go through life and there are so many people who say you cannot do things. I was alright until I was in my mum and dad’s face.

“My little brother is there and I’m trying to be a role model for him. I cannot put it into words. The best night of my life.”