Real Madrid’s late surge to claim another victory in Europe’s elite tournament carried an air of inevitability as they proved they are a ruthless winning machine when it comes to the Champions League.
As they have done previously in the competition this season, and in seasons before, Real stumbled along in the first half as they were pinned back by the intensity of Borussia Dortmund’s approach.
Real barely put together an attack worthy of the name while hanging on by the skin of their teeth at the other end, with Dortmund creating chances but crucially wasting them.
When that happens, as Liverpool and others have found before them in Champions League finals, there is normally only one outcome.
And so it proved as Real, with keeper Courtois fully justifying Ancelotti’s decision to pick him ahead of Andriy Lunin, picked up a head of steam to strike those two late blows to the heart of brave Borussia.
Many will wonder quite how Real Madrid do it when they seem out of sorts so often. But muscle memory kicks in with these great players, as the departing Toni Kroos, Carvajal, Nacho and late substitute Luka Modric claimed Champions League winners’ medals for the sixth time.
As for the peerless Ancelotti, as impassive as ever, he continued his incredible record at the helm of this great club.
It was a quiet night for Bellingam, who missed a big chance before setting up Vinicius Jr for the second. But what a campaign he has had since joining Real from Dortmund.
England will hope this sets up their young superstar perfectly for Euro 2024.