The UEFA Youth League final between Real Madrid and Bruges kicked off at the Stade de la Tuilière in Lausanne. By the 23rd minute, the Spanish club had taken the lead thanks to a precise strike by Jacobo Ortega, who converted a pass from Fortea with an impressive backheel. This goal became the key moment of the first half and allowed Real Madrid to seize the initiative on the pitch.
From the very first minutes, Real Madrid showed a clear advantage, not allowing their opponent to create any dangerous chances. Bruges’ goalkeeper Vanden Driessche rescued his team several times but was unable to prevent the goal. After scoring, the Spaniards kept up the pressure, twice regaining possession immediately after kick-off, but were unable to increase their lead.
Line-ups and key moments
Bruges’ starting line-up included Driessche, Elbay, Verlinden, Wins, García, Okon, Goemaere, Da Silva, Jensen, Musuayi, and Koren. For Real Madrid, the players on the field were Javi Navarro, Fortea, Joan Martínez, Diego Aguado, Lezcano, Diego, Cestero, Carlos Díez, Yáñez, Jacobo, and Alexis Ciria. The only booking in the first half went to Fortea for a foul on Koren in the 26th minute. The match was officiated by Rohit Saggi from Norway.
By the end of the first half, Bruges tried to seize the initiative, but Real Madrid confidently controlled the game and did not allow their opponent to pose any real threat to their goal. The most dangerous player for the Belgians was Koren, but his efforts were not enough to change the score.
Atmosphere and final details
Famous football figures were present in the stadium’s VIP zone: Florentino Pérez, Aleksander Čeferin, Giorgio Marchetti, as well as José Martínez Sánchez ‘Pirri’, Roberto Carlos and Santiago Solari. The atmosphere of the final was captured by AS photojournalist Dani Sánchez. According to RUSSPAIN, Jacobo Ortega, who scored the current winning goal, has secured a place in the Castilla squad this season and stands out not only for his physical attributes but also for his decision-making on the field.
The match continues with a narrow lead for Real Madrid, who still have a chance to extend their advantage in the second half. Interestingly, at the same time, new rules for access to social assistance are being discussed in other regions of Spain, as recently happened in Extremadura — details on new restrictions for foreigners prompted a broad public response.
Match summary
The UEFA Youth League final takes place on April 20, 2026, in Lausanne. The break was reached with a score of 0:1 in favor of Real Madrid. The Spanish team demonstrates a high level of organization and is confidently controlling the game, counting on success in the second half.
