At the exact moment Vinicius Junior scored the second goal, Jude Bellingham fell to his knees, stretched out his arms and looked up at the sky, writes Charlie Wyett.
It was the moment Bellingham always dreamed of, winning the Champions League. The fact that it happened at Wembley, at home, made it all that little bit sweeter.
Bellingham handed the pass to Vinicius, who scored to ensure that Real Madrid, remarkably, were now kings of Europe on 15 occasions.
It was the final kick of the biggest game of Bellingham’s life, as he was immediately replaced by Joselu in a tactical change by Carlo Ancelotti.
With no Premier League team involved, this was an English clash between Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. West Midlands versus south London. Stourbridge v Kennington.
It’s obvious which of the two former teammates won this contest, although Sancho’s team should have put Real out of sight by half-time.
Ultimately, neither Englishman had particularly dazzling games.
Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, started well and caused Real left-back Ferland Mendy some moments of discomfort.
However, it was nothing like the performances he put in against PSG to help his team reach the final.
Instead, with three minutes remaining in normal time, Sancho was replaced by another Englishman, teenager Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
There shouldn’t be any drama. Bellingham added this Euro title to his La Liga winners’ medal. Not forgetting that he was also voted La Liga player of the year.
Bellingham, who played his 42nd game of the season for Real, failed to make much of an impact with his performance on the left.
By the hour mark, he had touched the ball 35 times but had done little with it.
With the score at 0-0, he somehow failed to score with a header after failing to connect with Vinicius’ cross. Any touch and it would have been a goal.
By now, the keyboard warriors were out in force on social media, doling out some ridiculous criticisms of England’s biggest talents. Potentially our greatest player of all time.
However, the inevitable happened and Dortmund had to curse the missed opportunities.
A mistake by Sancho led to a Real Madrid corner and Dani Carvajal jumped highest to head the ball in for the lead.
Bellingham had another chance, but it was deflected by Nico Schlotterbeck.
But with seven minutes remaining he helped put the knife in to help Vinicius score and ensure this was a night he will never forget.
In the crowd were his father Mark, mother Denise and brother Jobe, who arrived at the stadium five hours early
Bellingham’s mother cried as her son approached to receive his medal. And let’s hope Bellingham lifts another trophy in Berlin on July 14th.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
