In a thrilling encounter, young striker Gonzalo Garcia found the back of the net for the fourth time in the Club World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe marked his debut goal in the tournament. Real Madrid edged past Borussia Dortmund with a 3-2 victory, paving the way for an exciting semifinal clash against European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Garcia, at just 21 years old, struck first for Madrid, finding the net from close range on a sweltering afternoon at MetLife Stadium, located just outside New York City. Not long after, Fran Garcia extended their advantage, doubling the lead before the first half reached its midpoint.
Dortmund struggled to mount a serious comeback, but the final moments brought a thrilling surge of action. Maximilian Beier found the net in the 93rd minute, only for Mbappe to respond with a breathtaking overhead kick, securing Madrid’s third goal.
Serhou Guirassy capped off the match with a penalty following the dismissal of Real’s Dean Huijsen, sealing the game just before the final whistle sounded.
“The match was largely under control, with the team not conceding much, but the final 10 minutes turned chaotic as we lost some of our shape and intensity. However, it was a solid 80 minutes overall, and those last 10 minutes are an area for improvement,” said Real coach Xabi Alonso in an interview with DAZN.
Alonso’s squad has made it to the semifinals, all while star player Mbappe has yet to see action in a starting role throughout the tournament.
The French superstar, sidelined during the group stage due to illness, is now poised to make his first start as Real Madrid faces off against his former club in an intriguing semifinal clash at the same venue this Wednesday.
“Facing PSG will undoubtedly present a formidable challenge for us, but we must focus on the positives from today’s performance and carry that momentum into the next match,” Alonso stated.
The team that triumphs in that matchup will undoubtedly be seen as the frontrunners for the inaugural title of FIFA’s expanded tournament, while Chelsea prepares to face Fluminense in the other semifinal clash.
In a thrilling rematch that drew an impressive crowd of 76,611, the stage was set once again for the clash reminiscent of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, where Real emerged victorious with a commanding 2-0 scoreline.
In a striking tactical shift, Alonso opted for a back four instead of his usual three-person central defence, catching many off guard. This change proved effective as his side secured an early lead, avoiding the need for late heroics to clinch the victory.
Julian Brandt came tantalisingly close to putting the German side ahead, but it was Real Madrid who struck first, taking the lead in the 10th minute.
Garcia found the back of the net three times in Madrid’s opening four matches at the Club World Cup, highlighted by his decisive goal against Juventus in the round of 16.
What a thrilling conclusion!
He expertly manoeuvred between two defenders to connect with an Arda Guler cross at the near post, putting his team ahead 1-0 and igniting jubilation among the majority of the crowd.
The sweltering summer heat played a significant role in the sluggish tempo of the match, yet Real Madrid expertly extinguished Dortmund’s aspirations by finding the back of the net once more in the 20th minute.
The build-up on the right was a masterclass in patience, showcasing the dominance of Jude Bellingham and Gonzalo. The two full-backs linked up seamlessly, with Trent Alexander-Arnold delivering a precise low cutback that Fran Garcia expertly finished.
They missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead before the break, as Bellingham, unable to go head-to-head with his brother Jobe due to suspension, saw his shot sail just wide following a clever dummy from Vinicius Junior.
The player aimed for glory with a shot that veered off target, attempting to catch Gregor Kobel off guard from the edge of the box. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni came agonisingly close, striking the woodwork just after the hour mark, though an earlier offside call dampened the moment’s excitement.
Dortmund’s chances of staging a dramatic comeback were nearly ignited when half-time substitute Beier had a golden opportunity to find the net just moments before. Their hopes flickered briefly in the closing stages of the match.
Beier found the back of the net to make it 2-1 just three minutes into stoppage time, expertly controlling a wayward clearance before unleashing a powerful shot past Thibaut Courtois.
Mbappe, making a significant impact after replacing Bellingham in the second half, netted his 44th club goal of the season with a stunning overhead strike at the back post, expertly connecting with a cross from Guler.
In a dramatic turn of events, Guirassy was taken down at the opposite end, resulting in a red card for centre-back Huijsen. Guirassy stepped up to the spot and delivered, netting his 38th goal of the season to bring the score to 3-2.
“Real Madrid’s victory was well-earned,” stated Dortmund coach Niko Kovac. “We demonstrated our strengths, and facing defeat against them doesn’t equate to failure.”
