By Sachit Subba • Football • Jul 06, 2025 03:00 AM • 193 views
In a match that swayed from complete control to chaotic mayhem, Real Madrid booked their place in the Club World Cup semi-finals with a pulsating 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday night. What looked like a routine evening for the 15-time European champions nearly turned into a nightmare in stoppage time, as Dortmund mounted a late surge that tested Madrid's nerves and composure under the New Jersey heat. Madrid were cruising for most of the 90, thanks to first-half strikes from 21-year-old sensation Gonzalo and left-back Fran García. But a dramatic flurry of goals in stoppage time—including a red card for Dean Huijsen—turned a comfortable contest into a frantic finish.
⚽ Gonzalo Shines Again
Los Blancos, clad in their iconic white, wasted little time asserting their dominance. Arda Güler, orchestrating play with the composure of a seasoned veteran, delivered a perfectly measured cross in the 10th minute for Gonzalo, who volleyed home his third goal of the tournament. The youngster is quickly becoming Madrid's breakout star of the summer, his timing and finishing skills belying his years.
Ten minutes later, Madrid doubled their lead with a sweeping move down the right. Trent Alexander-Arnold—showing his adaptability in Madrid colours—whipped in a low cross that eluded the Dortmund backline, finding Fran García arriving at the far post for a simple tap-in.
Madrid could have added more before the break. Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. missed chances that could've buried Dortmund before halftime, while Aurelien Tchouameni rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort in the 65th minute.
🔥 Stoppage Time Chaos
The match seemed to be winding down to a quiet finish when substitute Maximilian Beier capitalised on a rebound in the 93rd minute to pull one back for Dortmund. But before Dortmund fans could dream of a comeback, Madrid silenced them with a swift reply—this time from Kylian Mbappé, who connected with a stunning volley just a minute later. The Frenchman, likely facing his future club in PSG next, reminded the world why he's football's most electrifying forward. Yet Dortmund weren't done. Serhou Guirassy's blistering pace broke Madrid's defensive line, drawing a foul from Huijsen inside the box. The young defender was sent off, and Guirassy coolly converted the penalty to bring the German side within one goal. In the dying seconds, a thunderous strike from Marcel Sabitzer looked destined for the top corner, only for Thibaut Courtois to leap full stretch and deny Dortmund with a world-class save, perhaps the most crucial moment of the match.
🗣️ Xabi Alonso Reacts
"We were doing really well, and the match looked under control," said Madrid manager Xabi Alonso post-match. "But then in the last 10 minutes, things got crazy. We lost a bit of focus and intensity when we didn't have the ball. Luckily, nothing else happened. Overall, we had a good 80 minutes, and the last 10 we'll need to learn from."
🔜 PSG Awaits
With the win, Real Madrid advances to face Paris Saint-Germain in a much-anticipated semi-final. PSG saw off Bayern Munich 2-0 earlier to set up the blockbuster clash. On the other side of the draw, South American champions Fluminense will face Chelsea for a spot in the final. It's a clash of footballing titans in the making—Madrid versus PSG—featuring star power, tactical intrigue, and potentially a preview of Mbappé's shifting allegiances. Whatever happens next, if tonight's drama is any indication, the 2025 Club World Cup is delivering fireworks on and off the ball.
