July 06, 2025: Real Madrid booked their spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup after a thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium, New York. The match saw young striker Gonzalo Garcia net his fourth goal of the tournament, while Kylian Mbappe sealed the game with a spectacular overhead finish in injury time.
Madrid will now face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final clash.
Garcia Strikes Early to Set the Tone
The 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia continued his fine form, scoring in just the 10th minute of the match. He connected sharply with an Arda Guler cross, sneaking in between defenders to give Real Madrid the early lead.
Garcia has now scored four goals in the tournament, including the winner against Juventus in the Round of 16 — establishing himself as one of the standout young players of this Club World Cup.
Fran Garcia Doubles the Lead Before Half-Time
Madrid extended their lead in the 20th minute with a beautiful team goal. Jude Bellingham, working patiently with Gonzalo Garcia on the right, created the move that led to full-back Fran Garcia finishing from a low cut-back.
The Spaniards looked dominant and could have scored more before half-time, with Bellingham and Vinicius Junior both missing good chances. A strike from Tchouameni later hit the woodwork, though it was ruled offside in the buildup.
Dortmund Fights Back in a Wild Finish
Despite being largely ineffective for most of the match, Dortmund nearly staged a dramatic comeback in the closing minutes.
Maximilian Beier gave them hope in the 93rd minute, pouncing on a defensive error to reduce the deficit to 2-1. But just moments later, Kylian Mbappe, who had come on as a second-half substitute, produced a jaw-dropping overhead kick from another Guler cross — his 44th club goal of the season — making it 3-1.
There was still more drama. Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy won a penalty after being fouled in the box, which he converted to bring the scoreline to 3-2. Real defender Dean Huijsen was sent off during the incident, but it was too late for Dortmund to find an equalizer.
Xabi Alonso Reflects on the Performance
Speaking to broadcaster DAZN after the game, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said:
“Everything was under control for 80 minutes. We didn’t concede much, but the last 10 minutes got a bit crazy. Still, it was a good performance overall.”
He also hinted at Mbappe’s possible start in the upcoming semi-final against his former club PSG, after missing the group stage due to illness.
Dortmund Coach: ‘No Shame in Losing to Madrid’
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac praised his team’s late effort but admitted Real Madrid were the better side:
“We showed our quality and gave everything. It’s not a failure to lose to Real Madrid.”
What’s Next: Semi-Finals Set to Explode
The semi-finals of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup are now set. Real Madrid will face PSG, while Chelsea take on Brazilian side Fluminense in the other semi-final. The winner of Madrid vs PSG will be widely seen as the favourite to lift the title.