In a pulsating FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final at MetLife Stadium, Real Madrid edged Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a roller-coaster encounter. Early goals from Gonzalo García and Fran García looked to hand Madrid control, but Dortmund’s late fightback—capped by Serhou Guirassy’s penalty—set up a heart-stopping finale. A red card for Dean Huijsen and a world-class save from Thibaut Courtois in the dying seconds ultimately preserved Los Blancos’ victory and a semi-final date with Paris Saint-Germain.
Match Summary & Stats
Real Madrid scored three times against Dortmund’s two, yet the match was tight in every metric. Dortmund edged possession with 51% to Madrid’s 49%, reflecting a game played largely in midfield. Madrid unleashed 13 shots, seven of them on target, while Dortmund managed 10 attempts with five hitting the mark. Both teams stayed relatively disciplined: Madrid received a single yellow card, Dortmund picked up two, and Dean Huijsen’s late red card for a last-man challenge left Madrid vulnerable in stoppage time.
Standout performers included Kylian Mbappé—who came off the bench to deliver a stunning bicycle kick—alongside Gonzalo García and Fran García, whose early strikes laid the groundwork. On the Dortmund side, Maximilian Beier’s 90+2’ goal and Guirassy’s 90+8’ penalty nearly completed the comeback, but Courtois’ save in the 99th minute was the moment that sealed Madrid’s passage.
Tactical Analysis
First Half: Madrid Controls the Flanks
Xabi Alonso’s 3-5-2 setup allowed Madrid to dominate wide areas. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran García pushed high, supplying crosses that unlocked Dortmund’s back line. In the 10th minute, Gonzalo García met an Arda Güler delivery with a composed volley to break the deadlock. Ten minutes later, Fran García doubled the lead with a low finish after surging past his marker.
Second Half: Dortmund’s Strategic Response
At halftime, Dortmund’s coach injected fresh legs and tactical tweaks, shifting to a more aggressive 4-3-3. The change paid off late on: Maximilian Beier capitalized on a Paulinho miscommunication in the 90+2’ minute to pull one back. Moments after Mbappé’s acrobatic strike restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion, Huijsen’s ill-timed tackle earned a red card. Guirassy converted the ensuing spot-kick in the 90+8’ minute, setting the stage for a frantic finish.
Courtois’ Defining Save
With nine minutes of stoppage time played, Marcel Sabitzer looked certain to level it, but Thibaut Courtois produced a reflex save that ricocheted off the post. That final intervention underlined why he remains one of the world’s elite goalkeepers and why Real Madrid advanced despite being a man down.
Key Moments
- 10’ – Gonzalo García opens the scoring with a precise volley from Güler’s cross.
- 20’ – Fran García makes it 2-0 after bursting past Dortmund’s defense.
- 90+2’ – Maximilian Beier capitalizes on defensive confusion to give Dortmund hope.
- 90+4’ – Kylian Mbappé, on as a substitute, delivers a stunning bicycle kick.
- 90+8’ – Serhou Guirassy converts a penalty after Dean Huijsen’s red card.
- 99’ – Thibaut Courtois produces a last-gasp save to deny Marcel Sabitzer.
Final Thoughts
Real Madrid’s blend of youthful daring and experienced leadership saw them through a match dripping with tension. Dortmund’s late resurgence illustrated their resilience, but Madrid’s clinical finishing and Courtois’ heroics proved decisive. With Paris Saint-Germain looming, Los Blancos now prepare for another heavyweight showdown.
