The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 season brought together two clubs with very different European pedigrees: Real Madrid, the competition’s most decorated side, and VfB Stuttgart, returning to the elite stage after a long absence. Their encounter on September 18, 2024, at the Santiago Bernabéu was not just a meeting of Spanish and German football but a dramatic contest that unfolded in a way worthy of the Champions League’s reputation for late drama and high stakes.
Pre-Match Context
- Real Madrid entered the season as defending champions, aiming for a record-extending 16th title. With Kylian Mbappé newly signed, expectations were sky-high under Carlo Ancelotti’s management.
- VfB Stuttgart made their first Champions League appearance since the 2009/10 season, buoyed by a strong Bundesliga campaign and eager to prove themselves against Europe’s best.
This was the first-ever Champions League meeting between the two clubs, adding extra intrigue to the fixture.
First Half: Stuttgart’s Brave Start
The match began with Stuttgart showing no signs of stage fright. They pressed high and created several early chances, with Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal forced into action multiple times. Jamie Leweling, Enzo Millot, and Angelo Stiller all tested Courtois, whose saves kept Real Madrid in the game during a nervy opening spell.
Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute, his deflected shot beating Courtois but rattling the crossbar. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s attacking trio of Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo struggled to find space, with Stuttgart’s Alexander Nübel also making key saves.
A VAR check for a possible penalty against Stuttgart late in the half was dismissed, and the teams went into the break level, but with the visitors arguably on top.
Second Half: Madrid’s Response and Stuttgart’s Resilience
The second half began with immediate drama. Within a minute of the restart, a defensive mistake by Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstädt allowed Rodrygo to race down the right and cross for Kylian Mbappé, who finished clinically to put Real Madrid ahead in the 46th minute.
Madrid, energized by the goal, pushed for a second. Vinícius Júnior hit the woodwork as the hosts looked to kill off the contest, but Stuttgart remained dangerous on the break.
Stuttgart’s Equalizer and Madrid’s Late Surge
Stuttgart’s persistence paid off in the 68th minute. Jamie Leweling won and took a corner, delivering a perfect ball for Deniz Undav to head past Courtois and level the score at 1-1. The goal stunned the Bernabéu and set up a tense final 20 minutes.
Real Madrid, so often the masters of late Champions League drama, responded with renewed urgency. Substitute Luka Modrić, brought on to steady the midfield, delivered a pinpoint corner in the 83rd minute. Antonio Rüdiger, a former Stuttgart player, rose unmarked in the six-yard box to head Madrid back into the lead.
Endrick’s Breakthrough and the Final Whistle
As Stuttgart pressed forward in search of another equalizer, Madrid struck on the counter in stoppage time. Dani Carvajal led a quick break and found 18-year-old Endrick, who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box. The ball slipped through Nübel’s hands and found the bottom corner, sealing a 3-1 victory for Real Madrid in the 90+5th minute.
Key Moments Timeline
| Minute | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 28’ | Undav hits the crossbar (Stuttgart) | 0-0 |
| 46’ | Mbappé scores (assist: Rodrygo) | 1-0 Madrid |
| 59’ | Vinícius Júnior hits the woodwork | 1-0 Madrid |
| 68’ | Undav scores header (assist: Leweling) | 1-1 |
| 83’ | Rüdiger scores header (assist: Modrić) | 2-1 Madrid |
| 90+5’ | Endrick scores (assist: Carvajal) | 3-1 Madrid |
Aftermath and Significance
- Real Madrid demonstrated their trademark resilience, overcoming a spirited Stuttgart side with late goals and individual brilliance.
- VfB Stuttgart left the Bernabéu with heads held high, having matched the champions for long stretches and showing they belonged on Europe’s biggest stage.
The match set the tone for both clubs’ Champions League campaigns: Madrid as favorites, Stuttgart as dangerous underdogs.
Conclusion
The Real Madrid vs VfB Stuttgart clash on September 18, 2024, was a classic Champions League encounter: a tale of momentum swings, individual heroics, and late drama. For Madrid, it was another step on their quest for European glory. For Stuttgart, it was a statement of intent on their return to the continent’s elite.
