The rivalry between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League has brought thrilling moments and unforgettable matches to football fans around the world. Their head-to-head record is a testament to some classic confrontations, blending German tactical prowess with Spanish flair. Let’s explore the timeline of their matches and highlight key encounters that have defined this competitive rivalry.
Early Meetings and First Encounters (1997-2003)
Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid’s first European clash took place in the 1997-98 UEFA Champions League semifinals. Real Madrid emerged victorious, winning the second leg 2-0 at home and advancing to the final, where they would go on to win their seventh Champions League title.
April 1, 1998: Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (Semifinals)
April 15, 1998: Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Real Madrid (Semifinals)
The clubs met again in the 2002-03 Champions League group stage. They drew 1-1 in Dortmund, while Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory in their home fixture, demonstrating early on the competitive nature of their encounters.
February 19, 2003: Real Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund (Group Stage)
February 25, 2003: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Real Madrid (Group Stage)
Dramatic Group Stage Encounters (2012-13 Season)
The rivalry reignited in the 2012-13 season, where both teams were placed in the same group. Dortmund stunned Madrid with a 2-1 victory at home and later held them to a 2-2 draw in Madrid, winning the group.
October 24, 2012: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Real Madrid (Group Stage)
November 6, 2012: Real Madrid 2-2 Borussia Dortmund (Group Stage)
52013 Semifinals: Dortmund’s Historic Victory
One of the most memorable moments in this rivalry came in the 2013 Champions League semifinals. Dortmund’s striker, Robert Lewandowski, scored four goals in a 4-1 rout of Madrid in the first leg, marking one of the most impressive individual performances in Champions League history. Although Madrid won the return leg 2-0, Dortmund advanced to the final on aggregate.
April 24, 2013: Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Real Madrid (Semifinals)
April 30, 2013: Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (Semifinals)
2014 Quarterfinals: Real Madrid’s Revenge
In the 2013-14 season, Real Madrid faced Dortmund again, this time in the quarterfinals. Madrid dominated the first leg at home, winning 3-0. Although Dortmund fought back in the second leg with a 2-0 win, it wasn’t enough to overturn the aggregate score, allowing Madrid to advance.
April 2, 2014: Real Madrid 3-0 Borussia Dortmund (Quarterfinals)
April 8, 2014: Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Real Madrid (Quarterfinals)
Group Stage Clashes (2016-17 Season)
The 2016-17 Champions League group stage saw the teams once again paired together. Both matches ended in thrilling 2-2 draws, with Madrid and Dortmund displaying equal strengths. Dortmund topped the group, while Madrid went on to win the Champions League that season.
September 27, 2016: Real Madrid 2-2 Borussia Dortmund (Group Stage)
December 7, 2016: Group Stage: Real Madrid 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Key Players and Memorable Performances
The Dortmund-Madrid rivalry has showcased some incredible individual performances. Robert Lewandowski’s four-goal performance in 2013 remains legendary, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema consistently troubled Dortmund’s defense. Other notable players include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who later joined Arsenal, and Marco Reus, who remains an essential part of Dortmund’s squad.
Head-to-Head Summary
In total, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have faced off in 12 Champions League matches since 1997. Real Madrid holds a slight advantage with six wins, while Dortmund has won three, and three matches ended in a draw. Each match continues to reinforce the fierce competition and respect shared by these two iconic clubs.
FAQs
When did Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid first meet in a competitive match?
Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid first met in a competitive UEFA Champions League fixture during the 1997-1998 season in the semi-finals. This was a memorable series as Dortmund were the defending champions, having won the Champions League in 1997. Real Madrid went on to win the semi-final tie with an aggregate score of 2-0, later capturing the title in the final against Juventus, marking their first European Cup win in over three decades.
How many times have Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid faced each other in the UEFA Champions League?
Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have faced each other 14 times in the UEFA Champions League as of 2023. These encounters include group stage matches, semi-finals, and quarter-finals. Their head-to-head meetings have been filled with intense competition and memorable moments, marking this as one of the more notable intercontinental rivalries in European football.
What were some of the most memorable matches between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid?
1997-98 Semi-Final: Real Madrid won 2-0 on aggregate, advancing to the final and eventually winning the Champions League.
2012-13 Group Stage: Dortmund defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at home, and they drew 2-2 in Madrid. Dortmund topped the group, foreshadowing their later success that season.
2012-13 Semi-Final: In the first leg, Dortmund defeated Real Madrid 4-1 with Robert Lewandowski scoring all four goals. Although Real Madrid won the second leg 2-0, Dortmund advanced to the final, eventually losing to Bayern Munich.
2016-17 Group Stage: Both encounters between the two clubs ended in thrilling 2-2 draws, with Dortmund finishing at the top of the group. This season displayed both teams’ attacking prowess and mutual respect.
How has the Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid rivalry shaped their Champions League campaigns?
The encounters between Dortmund and Madrid have often had high stakes and have influenced the trajectory of each team’s Champions League run. Dortmund’s successes over Madrid, especially in the 2012-13 season, were integral to their reaching the final. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s victories over Dortmund in the 1998 and 2013-14 campaigns helped them progress further in the tournament. These games have tested both teams’ tactics, resilience, and squad depth, becoming part of each club’s European legacy.
IN SUMMARY
The timeline of encounters between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League highlights one of Europe’s most dynamic club rivalries. Their matches, spanning from the late 1990s to recent years, have been defined by intense competition, tactical battles, and remarkable performances from top players. Notable games, like Dortmund’s 4-1 victory in 2013 powered by Lewandowski’s four goals and Madrid’s dominant 3-0 win in 2014, have kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing the teams’ strengths and resilience.
To read more, Click here
