Real Madrid pulled off an incredible comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, with Vinicius Jr. delivering a hat-trick in a Champions League classic.
The victory not only showcased Real Madrid’s resilience but also highlighted Vinicius’ growing case for the Ballon d’Or.
The visitors stunned the home crowd by racing to a 2-0 lead in the first half. Donyell Malen opened the scoring in the 30th minute, followed by Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who doubled Dortmund’s lead just four minutes later, leaving Madrid trailing at halftime.
The second half, however, belonged to the hosts. Antonio Rüdiger sparked the comeback in the 60th minute with a towering header to make it 2-1.
Just two minutes later, Vinicius Jr. leveled the score with a clinical finish, bringing Real Madrid back into the contest.
In the 83rd minute, Lukas put Madrid ahead with a fine goal, turning the momentum fully in favor of the home side. Vinicius then took center stage, scoring his second goal in the 86th minute before completing his hat-trick in stoppage time (90+3), sealing a stunning 5-2 victory.
Vinicius’ performance, capped by his hat-trick, has strengthened his case as one of the favorites for the Ballon d’Or, as he continues to lead Madrid’s charge for another Champions League title.