CNN
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There’s just something about Real Madrid and the Champions League. No matter the opposition, no matter the situation, the Spanish giant usually finds a way to win.

That was the case again on Tuesday Los Blancos rallied from two goals down to win 5-2 against Borussia Dortmund, inspired by the brilliant Vinícius Jr.

In a rematch of last year’s final, Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens had given Dortmund a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time, but Madrid emerged a different team after the break.

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

“In the first half we were too timid, we didn’t press and let them keep control. They get two relatively simple goals and it was clear what we had to do. The team did an excellent job in the second half. This second half was our best of the season.”

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

The goal sent fans into panic at the Santiago Bernabéu as Madrid took action.

Just two minutes later and Los Merengues were level when Vinícius tapped in from close range to score his first of the match.

Once the score was level, the match came alive and both sides had opportunities to take the lead. Ultimately, however, it was the hosts who found the breakthrough when captain Lucas Vázquez fired a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Despite taking the lead, Madrid – and more importantly, Vinícius – were not done yet. While the match went on for a long time, the Brazilian scored the best goal of the evening.

He picked up a loose ball deep in his own half before driving the length of the pitch and curling a perfect finish into the corner of the net. It was a goal that underlined his credentials ahead of the Ballon d’Or vote on Monday.

The 24-year-old then completed his hat-trick with another fine goal, confusing Dortmund defenders with dazzling footwork before 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, helping us win the Champions League,” Ancelotti said, praising Vinicius’ performance .

“These three goals will help him towards the next Ballon d’Or.”

Villa remains undefeated

Elsewhere, Aston Villa maintained its perfect start to the Champions League season.

Having already defeated Young Boys and Bayern Munich, the English Premier League team defeated Bologna 2-0 on Tuesday to climb to the top of the table.

Captain John McGinn got proceedings underway with a somewhat lucky free-kick in the 55th minute, before striker Jhon Durán completed the victory with a well-taken goal in a delirious Villa Park stadium.

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

It was the only disappointing moment of 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 match.

“I am very happy with the supporters who helped us today and with the way they transferred their energy. “I’m very happy because we responded on the pitch and played a very serious match in the 90 minutes.”

Elsewhere on a dramatic evening of Champions League action, AC Milan recorded a 3-1 victory against Club Brugge.

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

Despite being reduced to 10 men after Raphael Onyedika was sent off, the visitor leveled the score after the break through Kyriani Sabbe in the 51st minute.

But the Rossoneri rallied from a shaky spell, with Tijjani Reijnders scoring a brace to decide the match for the Italian giants.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Stuttgart scored an injury-time winner to beat Juventus 1-0.

El Bilal Touré finally found the net 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 more than worth the victory. Earlier in the match a goal was disallowed and a penalty was saved in the 85th minute when Juve’s Danilo was sent off for a second yellow card.