Football

Borussia Dortmund's remarkable Champions League journey culminates in a daunting clash against the formidable Real Madrid in Saturday's final at Wembley Stadium. The Spanish giants, boasting an unparalleled 14 European Cup triumphs, are overwhelming favorites against a Dortmund side that has defied expectations to reach the showpiece event.Real Madrid's unwavering resilience has been a hallmark of their Champions League campaign. They overcame a relentless Manchester City in the quarterfinals on penalties and staged a dramatic late comeback against Bayern Munich in the semifinals. Their confidence is sky-high as they seek to cap a memorable season with another European crown.In contrast, Dortmund's domestic campaign has been less impressive, finishing fifth in the Bundesliga. However, they have reserved their best performances for the Champions League, topping a challenging group featuring Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. They then eliminated PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid before a heroic defensive display against PSG in the semifinals.Dortmund's success has been built on a strong team spirit and the emergence of young talents. Jude Bellingham, who left Dortmund for Real Madrid last year, believes his former club has prepared meticulously for this moment. "They've played amazingly, the character and mentality they've shown in a lot of games," he said.However, Dortmund recognize the magnitude of the task ahead. Real Madrid's rich history and star-studded squad make them a formidable opponent. "Our goal is to win the Champions League," said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic. "And if you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat the champions."For Real Madrid, the final presents an opportunity for several personal milestones. Carlo Ancelotti could become the first coach to win the European Cup four times, while Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos could join Paco Gento as the only players to win the competition six times.The match will also be a test of UEFA's security measures after the chaos that marred the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. The English Football Association has invested heavily in improving safety and infrastructure to ensure a smooth and incident-free event.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) face a daunting task as they aim to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final return match on Tuesday. The stakes are high for the French giants, who are determined to end Kylian Mbappe's illustrious seven-year tenure at the club with a historic triumph at Wembley.PSG's previous appearance in the Champions League final in 2020 ended in disappointment, with a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich behind closed doors in Lisbon. This time, the prospect of playing before a packed crowd of 90,000 against either Real Madrid or Bayern again would be a transformative experience.Mbappe, who has informed PSG of his intention to leave at the end of the season, is eager to depart on a high note. The 25-year-old has become PSG's all-time top scorer with 255 goals in 305 appearances, including 43 this season. He has also netted 48 times in the Champions League, and Tuesday's match against Dortmund presents an ideal opportunity to reach the half-century mark.Luis Enrique's Dortmund team underwhelmed in the first leg, but PSG are under immense pressure to turn the tie around at home. A repeat of their 2-0 victory over Dortmund in the group stage last September, with Mbappe scoring the opener from the penalty spot, would suffice."We are sure we are going to turn it around and qualify for the final," Mbappe declared confidently. "There is a lot of pressure on us, but it's normal because there is a place in the Champions League final at stake."PSG's defensive frailties have been exposed this season, and they suffered a major setback when Lucas Hernandez ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the first leg. Nuno Mendes, who has recently returned from injury, also struggled against Jadon Sancho.Despite the defensive concerns, PSG's experience and the support of their home crowd could prove decisive. They have already wrapped up the French title and will be fresh for the second leg, while Dortmund may be fatigued after a grueling weekend fixture.With Mbappe leading the charge and the Parc des Princes roaring behind them, PSG will be determined to overcome the first-leg deficit and book their place in the Champions League final.

Brazil's footballing resurgence took a significant step forward on Saturday as they secured a memorable 1-0 victory over England at Wembley under the guidance of new manager Dorival Jr. The triumph marked the beginning of a new era for the Selecao, who have endured a period of decline in recent years.Once a dominant force in international football, Brazil has struggled to maintain its former glory. Their last World Cup triumph came in 2002, and they have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the past two editions. In 2014, they suffered a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil.Dorival Jr, appointed in January, faced immense pressure to deliver a positive result against England. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had endured a tumultuous search for a permanent manager, with Carlo Ancelotti ultimately rejecting their advances.Despite the uncertainty, Brazil produced a spirited performance at Wembley. Teenage sensation Endrick, who came on as a substitute, became the youngest male scorer at the iconic stadium with his 80th-minute winner. The goal evoked memories of legendary striker Romario, according to former England midfielder Joe Cole.Dorival expressed relief at starting his tenure with a victory. "It's a really special moment," he said. "But we must not lose sight of the fact that this is just the start of our work."Brazil's resurgence will face another test on March 27 when they travel to Spain for a friendly. The Spaniards, who also lost on Saturday, will provide a formidable challenge at the Santiago Bernabeu.The Selecao will then play two more friendlies in June before the Copa America kicks off. Dorival will hope that his team can build on their Wembley triumph and rediscover their former glory.

Real Madrid's future star, Endrick, made history at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, becoming the youngest male player to score an international goal at the iconic venue. The 17-year-old striker, who will join Madrid from Palmeiras at the end of the season, netted the only goal in Brazil's 1-0 friendly victory over England.Endrick entered the match as a second-half substitute and wasted no time making an impact. Just nine minutes after coming on, he pounced on a loose ball in the England penalty area and fired into an empty net after Vinicius Junior's shot was saved by Jordan Pickford.The goal was a testament to Endrick's exceptional talent and composure. Despite being the youngest player on the pitch, he showed no signs of nerves and celebrated his historic strike with a passionate knee slide.Endrick's goal not only secured the victory for Brazil but also extended England's winless streak at Wembley to 21 games. The Three Lions had dominated possession and created several chances, but they were unable to find a way past a resolute Brazilian defense.After the match, Endrick expressed his joy and gratitude. "My family is here, my girlfriend, my agents. I am not much of a crier, I am holding myself, but this is something unique and I am very happy," he said.Endrick's performance has further solidified his status as one of the most promising young players in the world. Real Madrid has secured a major talent for the future, and Endrick is poised to become a key figure for both club and country in the years to come.