Real Madrid beat Dortmund to make Club World Cup semi-final
Real Madrid have secured their spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after a pulsating 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium. Goals from Garcias, Gonzalo, and Fran had Los Blancos cruising early, but late drama saw the German side fight back and nearly force extra time in a frantic finish.
First-Half Dominance from Madrid
The 14-time European champions wasted no time asserting their dominance, carving through Dortmund’s defence with fluid attacking play. Fran opened the scoring with a powerful strike inside the box, followed swiftly by a clinical finish from Garcias. Gonzalo then added a third, seemingly putting the game out of Dortmund’s reach by halftime.
With the scoreline reading 3-0 before the hour mark, Madrid looked destined for a comfortable night — but football rarely goes according to script.
Beier and Guirassy goals add late pressure
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Maximilian Beier gave Dortmund a glimmer of hope with a well-executed volley. Just moments later, Kylian Mbappe, who came off the bench, restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion with a stunning acrobatic finish — a moment that doubled as a tribute to the late Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away earlier this week. Mbappe raised his hands in the shape of the number 20, honouring the Liverpool forward’s jersey number.
But the drama wasn’t over yet. Dean Huijsen was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, gifting Dortmund a penalty. Serhou Guirassy converted confidently from the spot, making it 3-2, but it was too little, too late for the Bundesliga giants.
Related News: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Bayern Munich: Nine-man PSG edge Bayern Munich in fiery Club World Cup Quarterfinal
Club World Cup suspension blow for Madrid and PSG
Wednesday’s semi-final between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will now be affected by multiple suspensions. Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Willian Pacho, and Lucas Hernandez (both PSG) will miss the game after being sent off in their respective quarter-final matches.
Huijsen’s red came from a last-man foul, while Pacho was dismissed for a reckless tackle and Hernandez for violent conduct. With key defenders missing on both sides, the semi-final encounter promises to be wide open and fiercely contested.
Mbappe and Dembele Pay Tribute to Diogo Jota
In a show of unity and respect, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele each honoured the late Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother earlier in the week. Both players paid tribute during their goal celebrations — a powerful reminder of the footballing community’s shared grief and solidarity.
Key Takeaways:
- Final Score: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
- Madrid Scorers: Fran, Garcias, Gonzalo, Mbappe
- Dortmund Scorers: Beier, Guirassy (pen)
- Next Fixture: Real Madrid vs PSG (Semi-Final)
- Suspended Players: Dean Huijsen (Madrid), Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernandez (PSG)
SportsLigue