CNN
—

There’s just something about Real Madrid and the Champions League. Regardless of the opponent and regardless of the situation, the Spanish giant usually finds a way to win.

That was the case again on Tuesday Los Blancos recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2, inspired by the brilliant Vinícius Jr.

In a repeat of last year’s final, Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens appeared to have given Dortmund a 2-0 lead at half-time, but after the break Madrid were a different team.

“We talked calmly about how we could change something in the second half. I changed the system and the team brought more intensity,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters after the game.

“We were too shy in the first half, we didn’t press and let them take control. They score two relatively easy goals and it was clear what we had to do. The team did a great job in the second half. That second half was our best of the season.”

For all his offensive talent, it was defender Antonio Rüdiger who sparked the comeback, scoring a header from a cross from Kylian Mbappé in the 60th minute.

The goal sent fans at the Santiago Bernabéu into a frenzy as Madrid began to spring into action.

Just two minutes later and Los Merengues equalized when Vinícius scored the first goal of the game from close range.

With the score tied, the game picked up pace and both sides had chances to advance. Ultimately, however, it was the hosts who made the breakthrough when captain Lucas Vázquez fired a shot into the net from a tight angle.

Despite the lead, Madrid – and especially Vinícius – were not finished. When the game lasted longer, the Brazilian scored the best goal of the evening.

He picked up a loose ball from deep in his own half, then drove it the length of the pitch and flicked it perfectly into the corner of the net. It was a goal that underlined his credibility ahead of Monday’s Ballon d’Or vote.

The 24-year-old then completed his hat-trick with another great goal, confusing the Dortmund defenders with brilliant footwork and firing a shot past the goalkeeper.

“He will win the Ballon d’Or, but not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year by helping us win the Champions League,” said Ancelotti, praising the performance by Vinicius.

“These three goals will help him on the way to the next Ballon d’Or.”

Villa remain unbeaten

Elsewhere, Aston Villa have maintained their perfect start to the Champions League campaign.

After the English Premier League team had already prevailed against Young Boys and FC Bayern Munich, they defeated Bologna 2-0 on Tuesday and moved to the top of the table.

Captain John McGinn opened the game with a somewhat fortunate free-kick in the 55th minute before striker Jhon Durán completed the win with a well-taken goal at a roaring Villa Park Stadium.

Durán was substituted shortly after his goal and reacted angrily by hitting a seat in the dugout.

It was the only disappointing moment on another memorable European evening for Aston Villa, who are enjoying a brilliant season.

“I’m very happy,” Villa manager Unai Emery told reporters after the game.

“I am delighted with the support of the supporters today and the way they have transmitted their energy. I’m really happy because we reacted on the field and played a really serious game in the 90 minutes.”

On another dramatic evening in the Champions League, AC Milan claimed a 3-1 win over Club Brugge.

American Christian Pulisic scored Milan’s first goal from a corner kick that eluded everyone before sneaking into the net.

Although Raphael Onyedika was reduced to 10 men after being sent off, the visitors equalized after the break through Kyriani Sabbe in the 51st minute.

But that Rossoneri recovered from a shaky spell as Tijjani Reijnders scored a brace to win the game for the Italian giants.

Meanwhile, German club Stuttgart scored the winning goal in stoppage time to beat Juventus 1-0.

El Bilal Touré finally scored in the 92nd minute to give his side their first win of the new season, a result that ended the Old Lady’s unbeaten start to the competition.

Stuttgart was definitely worth the win. A goal was disallowed early in the game and a penalty was saved in the 85th minute when Juve’s Danilo was sent off for a second yellow card.