Real Madrid, the reigning European champions and masters of the comeback, returned from a two-goal deficit against Borussia Dortmund to run out 5-2 winners in an absorbing Champions League takedown at the Santiago Bernabeu. A banner behind the south goal that read “Our crown, our trophy” set the tone before kickoff, and by the final whistle, the Madrid faithful had witnessed their side once again prove why they are the kings of Europe.

This Real Madrid side, rich in history and elite squad aside, have been inconsistent throughout this campaign, and their first-half display proved the same on Tuesday. Energized by vibrant travelling support, Dortmund capitalized fully on Real’s fragility as it tore into a 2-0 lead in four minutes courtesy of Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The Bernabeu crowd was left stunned as Madrid managed to look both disjointed at the back and lethargic in midfield.

In the second half, though, Real Madrid roared back into the game as they have often. Vinícius Júnior inspired a career-best performance, netting an incredible hat trick in leading Madrid to an emphatic turnaround that reminded the world why they were 15-time Champions League winners.

The second-half fightback began in the 60th minute when Antonio Rüdiger powered in a header from a cross from Kylian Mbappé against the bar and in to pull one back for the hosts. Within minutes, Vinícius coolly finished after a tense VAR review overturned an offside call to draw the score level at 2-2. Dortmund tried to hold on, but a strike by Lucas Vázquez made it 3-2, while two late goals from Vinícius tipped the game beyond doubt.

“We knew we had to respond after that first half,” Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said. “Vinícius was simply unstoppable today—this was a performance worthy of the Ballon d’Or.”

Vinícius, who left the pitch with the match ball clutched tight in his grasp, will claim the majority of headlines, but victory spoke to Madrid’s resilience and the non-stop energy of the Bernabeu. A first half in which they were outplayed and outfought by their opponents could hardly have felt more distant at full-time.

For Dortmund, though, it was just too much to swallow. “It’s an extremely bitter loss,” said manager Nuri Sahin. “We felt in control and were two goals ahead, but the difference, in the end, came in the individual quality of Madrid.”

While critical, Madrid’s victory brought to light some concerns yet again. First-half fragility notably presses home that work is still to be done, particularly heading into Saturday’s El Clásico against Barcelona. Still, in classic Real Madrid fashion, an ability to flip games on their heads when it really matters has them firmly in the conversation once again for a third successive Champions League title.

Yet, there was no real doubt over Madrid’s qualification in this new Champions League format. With Vinícius in this form, they won’t simply seek qualification—they’ll be gunning once again for the trophy.