Real Madrid pulled off the great escape after a remarkable comeback 5-2 victory at the Bernabeu, though Jude Bellingham took a backseat with all eyes on him as Vinicius Jr scored an outrageous hat-trick.
A remarkable two-minute turnaround in the second-half with goals from Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius Jr sparked the Bernabeu into life as Dortmund crumbled.
Lucas Vazquez scored the third, popping up from right-back, to glide into the box late into the contest before smashing the ball past Gregor Kobel in the Dortmund net.
But Vinicius’ second goal, a stunning solo effort from his own defensive third where he showed his blistering pace showed why he is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
Jude Bellingham took a backseat as he watched his Real team-mates prevail
Reuters
The Brazil international was not done yet as another mazy run deep into injury-time left Dortmund defenders dizzy before hammering in his third of the night.
Donyell Malen opened the scoring after Mendy lost his man in the box while former Manchester City ace Jamie Gittens doubled the lead moments later in the first-half.
But Carlo Ancelotti has been able to rely on the sheer firepower at his disposal, mainly Kylian Mbappe, who was anonymous throughout the contest.
However, all eyes would have been on Bellingham, who would have been desperate to get one over his old team-mates at Dortmund.
And he had two excellent chances to do exactly that in the first half but inexplicably missed, with his second rebounding off the crossbar and bouncing on the line.
Fans were not impressed with the England international, who is still searching for his first Madrid goal this season.
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Nevertheless, fans took shots at the 21-year-old, including this response to his performance on social media: “Jude Bellingham is the most overrated player that i have see in my life.”
This fan said: “Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, two overrated players.”
Another posted: “Jamie Gittens is showing Jude Bellingham how to score goals at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.”
At this stage last season, Bellingham had scored nine in 11 matches for the Spanish giants after a rip-roaring start to life at the club following his move from Dortmund in the summer.
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Vinicius Jr turned on the style after the break
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But he has taken on a more conservative role with Real legend Toni Kroos’ retirement forcing him further back.
And with the added arrival of Mbappe, who has scored eight times in 13 appearances for Real this season, Bellingham has not been needed as far forward as he was last season.
On many occasions, the former Birmingham City ace played in a false-nine position in the absence of a star striker at Madrid last year.
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Lucas Vazquez netted the third to put Real ahead
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Having played as a midfielder throughout his career, it was a change from the norm for the Englishman.
And it worked, he scored 23 times in his debut campaign at the Bernabeu – the best tally of his professional career.
But without a goal this season for Real, Ancelotti has had to rely on his other superstars – but the attention still remains on Bellingham.