Champions League briefing: Has Vinicius Jr sealed the Ballon d’Or? Plus a Pulisic olimpico

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Champions League briefing: Has Vinicius Jr sealed the Ballon d’Or? Plus a Pulisic olimpico

It was a night of notable goals by notable goalscorers as the Champions League returned for matchweek three.

Vinicius Junior’s second-half hat-trick at the Bernabeu completed yet another Real Madrid ********* comeback as visitors Borussia Dortmund went from two goals up after an hour to 5-2 down by the final whistle, the Brazilian making a timely statement ahead of next Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

But there was also an unusual goal from ********** Pulisic, while Viktor Gyokeres and Jhon Duran maintained their hot streaks, the latter helping Aston Villa go clear at the top of the league-phase table.

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These are the big talking points from Tuesday’s action.

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Is Vinicius nailed on for the Ballon d’Or?

At half-time in Madrid, Dortmund were dreaming of their first ever victory at the Bernabeu, 2-0 up and flying.

Defending ********* champions Real, having been beaten 1-0 away by France’s Lille on matchweek two, were in danger not only of losing their 14-match unbeaten home record in the competition, but also putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy with a second defeat in three games.

Enter Vinicius Jr. A blistering second-half hat-trick from the Brazilian settled this rematch of last season’s final in style. Dortmund must be ***** of the sight of him.

His first was a mere tap-in, but the second was a gallivanting 60-yard run on the counter-******* that ended with a bullet of a drive into the corner.

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Vinicius gets his second goal (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

His third, meanwhile, was a mazy run past three players before blasting above goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

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Vinicius completes his hat trick (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Vinicius Jr was absolutely brilliant in the second half and Dortmund were helpless as to how to stop him. Accolades and praise will continue to fall the way of the mercurial 24-year-old — and on Monday, he may well be named as the world’s best player this year when the latest Ballon d’Or winner is announced.

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GO DEEPER

How is the Ballon d’Or 2024 winner decided?

He is the runaway favourite for the prize — awarded by a jury of journalists from the countries represented in the top 100 of the FIFA world rankings, and based on last season’s performances — when the ceremony takes place in Paris. Only Rodri, the Manchester City and Spain midfielder, seems to be considered a serious contender.

Vinicius Jr’s hat trick also took the shine of the night for a young talent who will hope to emulate him in the near future.

Jamie Gittens’ star continues to rise, and he became the youngest Englishman to score against Madrid, aged just 20 years and 75 days (beating Alan Smith’s record when he was with Leeds ******* in 2001), when he put Dortmund two up after 34 minutes .

Gittens’ time in the spotlight may come soon, but for now the stage belongs to Vinicius Jr.

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Pulisic’s Olympic

What do Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Megan Rapinoe and now Pulisic have in common?

They’re all right-footed? They’ve all played either in MLS or for the ******* States? Well, yes, but the answer we’re looking for is they’ve all scored an olimpico.

In football parlance, that’s a goal scored directly from a corner kick. It’s a very rare feat and it certainly isn’t easy to achieve, as Lionel Messi will tell you. One of the greatest players to ever kick a ball has never stuck one in straight from a corner, but it hasn’t been for the want of trying, as our Felipe Cardenas detailed earlier this year .

But Pulisic joined the club in the first half of AC Milan’s crucial 3-1 home win against Club Bruges.

Video for *** readers

Straight in from the corner

Pulisic gets the opener in San Siro with a direct corner into the back of the net

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— Football on **** Sports (@footballontnt)

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