Real Madrid Edge Past Dortmund in Thrilling Match to Secure Club World Cup Semi-Final Spot
In one of the most exciting matches of this year's FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid managed to overcome Borussia Dortmund with a dramatic 3-2 victory at MetLife Stadium — a clash filled with creativity, chaos, and nerve-racking moments in the dying minutes.
Strong Start for Madrid
The game began with balanced possession, but Real Madrid proved to be more clinical. In the 10th minute, Gonzalo GarcÃa opened the scoring for Los Blancos after a precise assist from young star Arda Güler — marking GarcÃa’s fourth goal of the tournament. Madrid’s dominance grew stronger and was soon rewarded with a second goal in the 19th minute by left-back Fran GarcÃa, who finished off a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The first half ended 2-0 in favor of Real Madrid, with Dortmund struggling to create any real danger despite some individual efforts on the flanks.
Late German Resurgence
At the start of the second half, Dortmund made several changes in an attempt to get back into the game, most notably bringing on Maximilian Beier for Karim Adeyemi. As Madrid continued to press forward, it seemed like the match would wrap up comfortably — until a stunning sequence of events in stoppage time turned everything on its head.
In the 90+3 minute, Beier fired a shot from the edge of the box through a crowd of legs and past Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-1. Just a minute later, Kylian Mbappé responded with the goal of the night — a sensational volley into the near post that restored Madrid’s two-goal lead at 3-1.
Moments of Madness
But the drama wasn't over yet. In the 90+6 minute, Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was sent off after conceding a penalty for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Serhou Guirassy calmly converted the spot-kick in the 90+7 minute to bring the score to 3-2, causing clear tension among the Madrid ranks.
Despite Dortmund's final efforts, the referee’s whistle confirmed Real Madrid’s progression after a rollercoaster of emotions and momentum shifts.
Standout Performances
Key players of the match included:
Gonzalo GarcÃa: Continued his brilliant form with his fourth goal of the tournament.
Fran GarcÃa: Scored and delivered a strong performance at the back.
Mbappé: Came off the bench to score a spectacular goal, showcasing his world-class talent.
Tchouaméni: Dominated the midfield and came close to scoring with a powerful shot that struck the crossbar.
Conclusion
Real Madrid advance, but the message is clear — there are no easy victories in this tournament, especially against a resilient German side like Borussia Dortmund. With the excitement building, all eyes will now turn to the semi-final. Can Mbappé continue his scoring run? Time will tell.