Real Madrid Claims Second UEFA Youth League Title Following Penalty Shootout Victory Over Club Brugge

Real Madrid's Juvenil A secures their second UEFA Youth League trophy. Javi Navarro's penalty saves lead the 4-2 shootout win in Lausanne. Read the match report.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 3:38 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

Youthful Brilliance Shines at the Stade de la Tuiliere

The final of the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League season concluded with Real Madrid lifting the trophy for the second time in the competition's 12-year history. Managed by Alvaro Lopez, the Madridistas asserted their authority early in the match held at Lausanne’s Stade de la Tuiliere, displaying the technical proficiency typical of the club's famed "La Fabrica" academy. Forward Jacobo Ortega provided the breakthrough in the 23rd minute, executing a sublime backheel finish following a precise cross from right-back Jesus Fortea. This opening half was characterized by Madrid’s relentless offensive pressure, with winger Daniel Yanez coming close on several occasions to doubling the lead as the Belgian defense struggled to contain the Spanish side’s fluid movement.

Belgian Resilience Forces Dramatic Lausanne Standoff

Despite Madrid’s early dominance, Club Brugge demonstrated remarkable tactical discipline to remain in the contest throughout the second half. The Belgian side, appearing in their first ever Youth League final, gradually found their rhythm and capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 64th minute. Following a surging run and a low cross from the creative Tian Koren, Tobias Lund Jensen found the back of the net to equalize for the "Blauw-Zwart." The remainder of regulation time became a tense, tactical battle, with both Alvaro Lopez and Brugge coach Hayk Milkonian utilizing their benches to find a decisive winner. However, neither side could break the deadlock, leading the match directly to a high-stakes penalty shootout.

Goalkeeping Heroics Define the Continental Finale

For the second time in three days, Real Madrid’s fate was decided by the heroics of goalkeeper Javi Navarro. Having already saved three penalties in the semifinal victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Navarro once again showcased his remarkable reflexes on the European stage. During the shootout, he denied efforts from Brugge's Naim Amengai and Tian Koren, providing his teammates with the platform to clinch the title. Successful conversions from Liberto Navascues, Daniel Yanez, and Carlos Diez set the stage for Diego Aguado, who calmly slotted home the winning penalty to spark jubilant celebrations among the Madrid staff and players in front of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.