Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund: Champions League Final Rematch Ignites Club World Cup Quarterfinal
Thirteen months after their epic Champions League final clash, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund meet again this time, with a trip to the semifinals on the line.
Real Madrid have booked their spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals after a narrow 1–0 win over Juventus. Their next opponent? A familiar one: Borussia Dortmund the very team they defeated in the 2024 Champions League final.
The highly anticipated rematch kicks off Saturday, July 5 at 5 PM (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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From Wembley to New Jersey: A Rivalry Reignited
The last time these two European powerhouses faced off in a high-stakes match, Real Madrid walked away with a 2–0 victory at Wembley, thanks to goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior. That match crowned the Spanish giants kings of Europe once again.
Now, Dortmund are back with revenge in mind.
A Very Different Dortmund
While the rivalry remains fierce, this is not the same Borussia Dortmund that faced Real Madrid in the 2024 final.
Only five players from that starting XI are expected to feature on Saturday:
- Gregor Kobel (GK)
- Julian Ryerson (RB)
- Marcel Sabitzer (CM)
- Julian Brandt (CM)
- Karim Adeyemi (FW)
Gone are big names like Mats Hummels, Jadon Sancho, Niclas Füllkrug, and Emre Can, as Dortmund lean into a new generation of fast, technical players.
Their latest result? A 2–1 win over Monterrey in Atlanta to reach the quarterfinals.
Madrid Stay Ruthlessly Consistent
Under Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have built their World Cup campaign on stability and depth. With victories over Pachuca, RB Salzburg, and Juventus, Los Blancos look sharp and focused.
Key players like Vini Jr., Fede Valverde, and Rodrygo continue to lead, while young names like Gonzalo García have stepped up most notably with the winning goal against Juventus.
Real also dominated Dortmund in their most recent Champions League group stage meeting, with a commanding 5–2 win earlier this season.
Who’s the Favorite?
- Real Madrid: Tactical balance, tournament experience, and a nearly unchanged squad
- Borussia Dortmund: Youthful energy, tactical unpredictability, and a hunger for redemption
Saturday’s match promises to be a thrilling contrast between established dominance and ambitious reinvention.
Match Info:
- Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
- MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
- Saturday, July 5
- 5 PM (Brasília Time)
- Club World Cup Quarterfinal
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