The 2024 UEFA Champions League Final is a true David vs Goliath matchup, with 14-time winners and current La Liga Champs, Real Madrid, taking on 1997 winners and fifth placed German outfit, Borusssia Dortmund.
Madrid has extended their record for European Cup Final appearances to 18, incredibly only losing three times on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, this will be Dortmund’s third UCL final, and their second final at the iconic Wembley Stadium, after losing the 2013 decider to German rival Bayern.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s path to the Final was challenging to say the least, the Germans were placed in the group of death alongside, PSG, AC Milan, and Newcastle.
Not only did the Yellow & Black escape Group F, they topped it! Beating both Milan and Newcastle on the road.
Borussia then pushed through the Round of 16, defeating PSV 3-1 on aggregate, scoring two injury time goals in the second leg to get the job done.
The quarterfinals proved a tougher challenge, but an incredible four goal haul in the second leg at home, helped them sneak past Atletico Madrid 5-4 on agg.
Their semi-final performance looked the most convincing on paper, winning 1-0 in both home and away legs against French giants PSG, though in reality, Mbappe and co peppered the Dortmund goal with 31 shots in Paris.
Real Madrid
Real’s path to the Final was much more straight forward, but not without it’s own challenges.
The 14-time Champs won six from six in the group stage, topping a pool which included Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin.
They then edged past RB Leipzig in the Round of 16, claiming a narrow 2-1 victory across the two legs.
Before, playing out one of the greatest Quarter Final ties in recent history, drawing 3-3 at the Bernabeu against Man City in the opening leg, before playing out 1-1 draw across 120+ minutes at the Etihad, eventually progressing through penalties.
Real’s semi was also decided by late drama, after drawing 2-2 against Bayern Munich in the opening fixture, the Spanish giants were on the ropes late in the reverse fixture at home, down 1-0 & 3-2 on aggregate with minutes left on the clock.
Enter Joselu, the maligned journeyman came off the bench to score twice in the 88th and 91st minute, sending his side through to the big dance!
2024 UCL Final Tips
Match Result: Real Madrid $1.64
HT/FT: Draw/ Real Madrid $4.20
Goalscorers: Vinicius Junior $2.10 & Jude Bellingham $2.15
Anytime Assist: Toni Kroos $3.60
To have 2+ Shots on Target: Vinicius Junior $2.30 & Niclas Fullkrug $4.40