Borussia Dortmund’s English starlet Jamie Gittens creates history with goal against Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Gittens put his name in the Champions League history books on Tuesday night. The 20-year-old became the youngest English player to score against Real Madrid in the Champions League when he put his side two goals ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu – before Real came roaring back to win 5-2. Gittens is only 20 years old and is the latest English youngster shining abroadGetty Dortmund’s first goal was scored by Donyell Malen as the two teams clashed in a repeat of last season’s Champions League final. Gittens then converted a cross from Malen to double Dortmund’s lead and leave the Bernabeu silent. With his goal, Gittens officially became the youngest English goalscorer against Real, aged 20 years and 75 days. Alan Smith previously had that honour, having been 54 days older when he scored for Leeds at the Bernabeu in 2001. Gittens has been quietly making a big impression since moving to Germany. He had scored both of his side’s goals in Dortmund’s last Champions League outing as they beat Club Brugge 2-0. He has made 29 Bundesliga appearances so far for Borussia Dortmund since joining the first team from the Under-19 side in July 2022. The winger played for Manchester City, Reading and Chelsea during his youth career and has also made appearances for England at youth level. In a similar move to fellow English stars like ex-Dortmund players Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho, Gittens tried his luck abroad and has been ever so successful since. He scored his first goal in the Bundesliga against SC Freiburg in August 2022, four months after making his league debut. In February 2023, he made his European debut against Chelsea and came off the bench in the 2024 Champions League final when Dortmund lost out to Madrid at Wembley. It was a memorable night for Dortmund’s young star – despite the resultGetty Sadly for the starlet, his goal against Real did not contribute to a famous win. The 15-time European champions Real Madrid came back roaring in the second half though as they scored a staggering FIVE goals to emerge 5-2 winners. Antonio Rudiger scored their first of the evening when he nodded home Kylian Mbappe‘s cross with a powerful header from inside the six-yard box. Vinicius Jr then made it two goals in two minutes for the Spanish giants after he tucked away their equaliser. VAR originally ruled out the goal as Mbappe looked to be in an offside position, but replays showed the Frenchman, whose movement created the opening, was in the clear. The Brazilian star got a further two goals on the night with the first coming from an electrifying run down Madrid’s left-hand side. Lucas Vazquez also got on the scoresheet from close range for the reigning European champions, before Vinicius Jr completed his 30-minute hat-trick following poor Dortmund defending. Vinicius Junior stepped up and stole the show for Real MadridGETTY After the game, Madrid captain Luke Modric tipped Vinicius Jr to take home the Ballon d’Or. Speaking to CBS Sports, he said: “Yeah definitely, but not just for tonight, all season he was outstanding and we’re looking forward to seeing who will win it. “But I think overall when you see how he played last season and what he is doing this season, especially after tonight, he deserves it.” The result leaves Dortmund and Madrid equal on six points in the Champions League, with Aston Villa, who were victorious 2-0 over Italian side Bologna, perched at the summit. Celtic visit last season’s Europa League champions Atalanta on Wednesday night, while Barcelona host Bayern Munich, Manchester City welcome Sparta Praha and Liverpool travel to RB Leipzig.
Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Gittens put his name in the Champions League history books on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old became the youngest English player to score against Real Madrid in the Champions League when he put his side two goals ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu – before Real came roaring back to win 5-2.
Dortmund’s first goal was scored by Donyell Malen as the two teams clashed in a repeat of last season’s Champions League final.
Gittens then converted a cross from Malen to double Dortmund’s lead and leave the Bernabeu silent.
With his goal, Gittens officially became the youngest English goalscorer against Real, aged 20 years and 75 days.
Alan Smith previously had that honour, having been 54 days older when he scored for Leeds at the Bernabeu in 2001.
Gittens has been quietly making a big impression since moving to Germany.
He had scored both of his side’s goals in Dortmund’s last Champions League outing as they beat Club Brugge 2-0.
He has made 29 Bundesliga appearances so far for Borussia Dortmund since joining the first team from the Under-19 side in July 2022.
The winger played for Manchester City, Reading and Chelsea during his youth career and has also made appearances for England at youth level.
In a similar move to fellow English stars like ex-Dortmund players Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho, Gittens tried his luck abroad and has been ever so successful since.
He scored his first goal in the Bundesliga against SC Freiburg in August 2022, four months after making his league debut.
In February 2023, he made his European debut against Chelsea and came off the bench in the 2024 Champions League final when Dortmund lost out to Madrid at Wembley.
Sadly for the starlet, his goal against Real did not contribute to a famous win.
The 15-time European champions Real Madrid came back roaring in the second half though as they scored a staggering FIVE goals to emerge 5-2 winners.
Antonio Rudiger scored their first of the evening when he nodded home Kylian Mbappe‘s cross with a powerful header from inside the six-yard box.
Vinicius Jr then made it two goals in two minutes for the Spanish giants after he tucked away their equaliser.
VAR originally ruled out the goal as Mbappe looked to be in an offside position, but replays showed the Frenchman, whose movement created the opening, was in the clear.
The Brazilian star got a further two goals on the night with the first coming from an electrifying run down Madrid’s left-hand side.
Lucas Vazquez also got on the scoresheet from close range for the reigning European champions, before Vinicius Jr completed his 30-minute hat-trick following poor Dortmund defending.
After the game, Madrid captain Luke Modric tipped Vinicius Jr to take home the Ballon d’Or.
Speaking to CBS Sports, he said: “Yeah definitely, but not just for tonight, all season he was outstanding and we’re looking forward to seeing who will win it.
“But I think overall when you see how he played last season and what he is doing this season, especially after tonight, he deserves it.”
The result leaves Dortmund and Madrid equal on six points in the Champions League, with Aston Villa, who were victorious 2-0 over Italian side Bologna, perched at the summit.
Celtic visit last season’s Europa League champions Atalanta on Wednesday night, while Barcelona host Bayern Munich, Manchester City welcome Sparta Praha and Liverpool travel to RB Leipzig.
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