MAYBE it’s the me𝚗 in white’s black magic, maybe it’s the weight of history, maybe it’s sublime self-confidence. Real Madrid always manages, though, when Old Big Ears is in the building.

It makes sense why Jude Bellingham was rushing to the Bernabeu.

The Englishman assisted Vinicius Junior in scoring Real’s second goal following Dani Carvajal’s late headed opening. The twenty-year-old Birmingham lad is a club European champion. How about at an international level as well?

Bellingham collapsed to his knees after Vinicius scored, and Carlo Ancelotti replaced him, kissing the adoring Madristas who were singing to him.

The Spanish nobility won their fifteenth European Cup, but they were outplayed for the most of this noisy Champions League Final at Wembley by the underdogs from Borussia Dortmund.

Real won this biggest of matches with its big-eared trophy for the eighth time in a row.

Since losing to Aberdeen in the old Cup-winner’s Cup in 1983, they have, in fact, never lost a European final.

Although Jadon Sancho, a misfit from Manchester United, played a better game than Bellingham, the midfield wizard of Real couldn’t have given a dаmn.

Singing “Hey Jude” in tribute of their Brummie idol, Real’s supporters had strutted out of Wembley Park tube station.

Dortmund’s marching army bounced, yelled and waved huge banners as they imitated the Westfalenstadion’s iconic yellow wall inside the stadium.

Despite finishing fifth in the Bundesliga, their journey to the final saw them win the semis against Paris Saint-Germain and advance through a Group of Deаth.

Four different pitch invaders delayed the proceedings in the first five minutes of a Lenny Kravitz performance – why do they bother?

Federico Valverde passed to two teammates but ballooned his shot.

After a quick lay-off by Niclas Fullkrug, Julian Brandt then screweԀ a shot wide.

Although Real’s Eduardo Camavinga was establishing the midfield rhythm as the anchor, Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi had the first clear look of goal.

The attacker was sent clear through, but goalie Thibaut Courtois—dubbed f***ing Courtois by Jurgen Klopp after his valiant performance in the 2022 final against Liverpool—advanced and pushed him out wide, where his effort was stopped.

Real were suԀԀenly killing it. Ian Maatsen, on loan to Borussia from Chelsea, put Fullkrug through, but the centre-forward blasted into the inside of the post before the ball was scrambled clear.

Sancho then darted forward and passed Adeyemi, whose angled effort Courtois blocked and Fullkrug missed the rebound.

Real found the situation so concerning that even the coolest guy in world football, Ancelotti, became heated on the sideline.

Vinicius Junior was booked for a late push on keeper Gregor Kobel as Real were losing their cool.

Sancho was enjoying himself greatly on the right for Dortmund, whereas Bellingham was finding it difficult to have any impact from his left midfield position.

Then Courtois threw himself low to block a Marcel Sabitzer rocket.

There was an incredible energy as both groups of fans bounced off each other at either end of Wembley.

Vinicius escaped a second yellow for a dive, but Nico Schlotterbeck received a warning from Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic for his response.

Sabitzer received a booking as well, but overall the German team was controlling the game without putting their noses in front, which is always dangerous when playing Real Madrid.

Another Wembley security achievement, a pyro display in the Dortmund end opened the second half.

Kobel blocked Toni Kroos’ free kιck wide, and Hummels was controversially punished for challenging Vinicius, who was receiving an easy ride from the referee.

Real were still unable to control the game, though, as Terzic’s me𝚗 repeatedly pin them back.

Courtois saved once more as Sancho’s long pass found Adeyemi, whose centre was met by a Fullkrug header.