It had to be like this. Real Madrid only knows how to conquer European glory by tracing it through epics. Six years later, La Fábrica wins its Champions League and is crowned again in the eyes of the Old Continent. And the script was written again from eleven meters, as in the semifinal, where Álvaro López’s team enjoys a 186-centimeter strongman named Javi Navarro. Impregnable and illuminated since it set foot in Lausanne. The exhibition against PSG was not enough, so he completed his canonization by stopping two shots that made the Youth European champion after the 1-1 scoreline during regulation time.
Yáñez took center stage from minute one. His first shot went wide. It served as a warning for Bruges, who started off somewhat stiff, like in the semi-finals. Driessche took the second hand from the Real Madrid winger, touching the ball with his fingertips to the disbelief of the number 7.
The third percussion, already uncontrolled from the right, also ended up in the hands of the Belgian goalkeeper. The right wing was being a mine for Álvaro López’s men, with Yáñez and his thousand revolutions unstoppable for the Belgians. In the 23rd minute, a combination between him and Ciria ended up in Fortea’s boots, who put it low at the near post and Jacobo finished it off with his heel. The final was on track for the white side thanks to the goal from his 9 and a Benzema-style shot against Barça at the Di Stéfano in 2021. The most elegant way to start dreaming.
Jacobo himself had two to hole out immediately afterwards. With the score at 0-1, Álvaro López’s men slowed down a gear, allowing Bruges to play with a little more comfort. Also finding Koren in the open field, their youngest and most electric player, who made things difficult for a reprimanded Fortea. Despite this, Madrid did not have to regret any clear chances and left in command at halftime.
Álvaro López replaced the full-back at half-time, conditioned with the card in one of the best duels of the afternoon. The one who was going to suffer in the second half would be Melvin, who in the 64th minute saw how a whirlwind called Koren split the wing and put it in the area for the arrival of Jensen, who pushed for the equalizer in Lausanne.
A few minutes later, an error by Joan Martínez left Javi Navarro practically sold against Koren. The help of Aguado, who perfectly overtook the winger after a saving sprint, avoided major problems for a Madrid that was still recovering from the Belgian goal.
Despite the scare, Álvaro López’s men recovered with two chances in their favor. A foul on the balcony of the area that Yáñez caressed without success and a point-blank shot by Lacosta that Driessche thwarted with a decisive hand down. The last ten minutes were a thermometer for the nerves of both teams, which measured the errors to the millimeter. Any detail would ruin the effort during the 90’s. But it wasn’t like that. The script of the match against PSG was repeated again and the title would be decided on penalties.
Goemaere began by converting for the Belgians. Liberto equalized with suspense after Driessche guessed but failed to block. Javi Navarro became huge again to stop Amengai. Yáñez assured the middle and put Madrid ahead. Musuayi kept hopes up for Bruges and Carlos Díez did the same for the whites. Javi Navarro, 1% away from completing his sanctification process, thwarted Koren’s launch. The second Youth was in the boots of Aguado, who deceived Driessche and thus returned European glory to Real Madrid six years later.
Match technical sheet
Club Bruges: Driessche; Elbay (Braspenning, 85′), Verlinden, Wins (Delorge, 60′), García; Okon, Goemaere, Da Silva (Amengai, 46′); Jensen, Musuayi, Koren.
Coach: Jonas De Roeck.
real Madrid: Javi Navarro; Fortea (Melvin, 46′), Joan Martínez, Diego Aguado, Lezcano; Beto (Lacosta, 61′), Cestero (Viega, 84′), Carlos Díez; Yáñez, Jacobo and Alexis Ciria (Liberto, 78′).
Coach: Álvaro López.
Goals: Jacobo, 0-1 (23′). Jensen, 1-1 (63′).
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norwegian). Fortea was cautioned (26′) by Real Madrid.
Stadium: Stade de la Tuilière. 5,405 spectators.
