VINICIUS JR produced a magical hat-trick after another Englishman threatened to upstage Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.
The holders produced a stunning comeback from 2-0 at half time to win 5-2 against the team they beat in last season’s final.
Dortmund’s revenge mission looked to be on course when they silenced the Bernabeu on the half hour mark.
Some great hustling to win the ball back from Julian Brandt led to Serhou Guirassy laying it off for Donyell Malen to finish past Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid were in shock – and they were well and truly on the ropes just four minutes later.
Dortmund broke furiously as Dutchman Malen raced and jinked to the byline.
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He slid the ball right across the face of the goal and England U21 star Gittens, who moved to Germany from Manchester City’s academy in 2020, arrived at the perfect time unmarked to knock it home on the stretch.
Bellingham was furious but his compatriot was on cloud nine as, at 20 Years and 75 days, youngest Englishmen ever to score vs Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Bellingham was even angrier when he blew the opportunity to land an instant response by hedging straight at the keeper.
Brandt was denied a third by a flying save from Courtois and it proved a key moment as Real exploded into life after the break.
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Rodrygo and Bellingham were both denied by the woodwork but it was the decision by Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin to replace winger Gittens in a defensive move that ultimately cost them.
Antonio Rudiger got Madrid back in business with a header and Vinicius Junior slotted home two minutes later to level.
Courtois made a great save to stop Maximilian Beier as the game entered the last ten and within seconds his team had completed the turnaround up the other end.
Mbappe’s deflected pass fell for Lucas Vazquez to run on to and lash home.
Bellingham then had the last laugh as his brilliant tackle won back the ball before Vinicius made it four.
And the electric Brazilian then claimed the matchball with the final kick.
The hat-trick hero declared after his magical run and finish for the third: “I want to stay here forever. I love Real Madrid.
“We want to win the Champions League again.”
While manager Carlo Ancelotti added: “I think Vinicius will win the Ballon D’Or but not because of what he did tonight. He helped us win the Champions League last season. These goals are for the next Ballon D’Or.”
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Monaco thrashed Red Star Belgrade 5-1 while AC Milan enjoyed a 3-1 triumph over Club Brugge.
Girona were 2-0 victors over Slovan Bratislava, Juventus drew 0-0 with Stuttgart, PSG and PSV drew 1-1, while Sporting won 2-0 at Sturm Graz.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
