Among rival fan bases, there is little to no expectation or hope of Real Madrid’s failure in the final of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
Even new football fans expect Los Blancos to lift the title at the end of the season. The Spanish side rarely loses finals, especially if the wonderful anthem which samples one of the most beautiful musical compositions in the world, Zadok The Priest, plays before the first blast of the whistle.
And who would blame these fans? Especially after they saw incredible goals like the five that will be mentioned in the coming sections.
Honourable mentions
Real Madrid have scored over 100 goals this season on their way to the La Liga title and the Champions League final. They are currently on course for 130 goals all season.
25 of those goals have come in Europe's elite competition, which means we don't have too many picks to select from. However, there are a few which could have easily made it to our top five and we will start with them.
First is Rodrygo’s goal against Manchester City where he received a wonderful through ball from Vinicius Jr, took on two City defenders and rolled the ball past Stefan Ortega for Madrid's second of that match.
The second is Vinicius’ goal against Red Bull Leipzig in the round of 16. Toni Kroos intercepted a Leipzig attack and released Jude Bellingham who carried the ball into Leipzig's space with Vini in tow. Quick communication followed and Vini latched on to a through ball played for him in space to send a 20-yard belter into the top corner.
These are beautiful goals, so which ones out of Real Madrid's 25 goals make our top five?
There are a few favourites in there but the others will shock you.
Brahim Diaz vs RB Leipzig
Manchester City may have stretched Real Madrid to the limit in the Champions League but real ones did not forget the fight that Red Bull Leipzig put up against the 14-time champions of Europe.
The German side held Madrid for long spells and created more chances but were met by a resolute Los Blancos defence. Then in the 48th minute, while they were trying to settle into the second half, Brahim Diaz went on a mazy solo run after receiving a pass from captain Dani Carvajal before curling one into the bottom left corner.
Real Madrid fans may not agree with pundits and commentators but the description which they used for the goal - Messi-esque - was appropriate to describe the goal.
Joselu vs Union Berlin
When Real Madrid faced Union Berlin, not many expected to see one of their best goals in the competition this season in that tie.
Joselu, brought in on loan to fill the striker void left by Karim Benzema’s decision to call time on an almost 15-year career with Real Madrid, has done all he could to convince the club's hierarchy that he deserves a shot at playing for his boyhood club.
His second goal against Union Berlin back in December 2023 was a beautiful diving header following good attacking work from fullback Fran Garcia.
The Espanyol loanee placed the diving header low into the near post of the German team's shot-stopper to give Madrid a leg up in that game.
Vinicius Jr vs Braga
Back in November 2023, Madrid hosted Portuguese side Braga in the group stages. The tie went as expected and of course, the individual and team brilliance of Los Blancos shone through.
After Brahim Diaz’s first-half opening goal, Vini Jr got in on the action himself in the second half. He received the ball on the left side of the penalty area, sidestepped one challenge and sent the Braga goalkeeper the wrong way with a beautifully placed shot to the far post from 18 yards out.
The Brazilian made a solid case for all the top individual awards in the league and the world this season and is on course to be the 2023/24 Champions League player of the tournament.
Rodrygo vs Braga
In that same match, Vinicius set up Rodrygo, who assisted the opening goal scored by Diaz, for his first of the night and Madrid's third of the night.
It was a brilliant goal by both mercurial Brazilian youngsters, who slalomed their way through the Portuguese team's defence with beautiful runs and quick one-two passes to each other to open up space for the other.
The final touch into space from Vinicius set up Rodrygo, who was soon closed down by the Braga goalkeeper and a Braga defender. The youngster dinked the ball over the onrushing goalie, making it look like he planned it all along.
The quick thinking from the Brazil international has earned him a spot on our list.
Rodrygo vs Napoli
Rodrygo's importance to Real Madrid's UCL run in 2023/24 cannot be overstated.
He scored a good number of opening goals and equalizers, while also providing many assists and creating key chances that helped Madrid get this far.
He was especially clutch in the group stages, where most of his goals in the season's contest came. His goal in Napoli is the absolute best of the lot but it only takes our number five spot.
After a brilliant counterattack with him, Vini Jr, Jude Bellingham, he cut in from the left and rifled one into the top corner past Alex Meret in Napoli's goal back in November.
It was a beautiful opener to a tough tie which Madrid ended up winning 4 - 2.
Conclusion
Real Madrid will be facing off against Borussia Dortmund in the final of this season's UEFA Champions League.
It will be an avenue for them to take their revenge on the Black and Yellows who cost them the 2012 title.
Head-to-head, both teams do not match up equally and Madrid are kings of the Champions League. However, the beauty of football is such that many cannot predict what happens.
Fans can buy Real Madrid tickets to the game on seatsnets.com. We are now looking forward to a night of amazing football.
