Real Madrid Survives Late Scare to Eliminate Dortmund and Set Up FIFA Club World Cup Semi vs PSG
Mbappé scores, Courtois saves the day as Real edge Dortmund 3-2 in MetLife thriller
Real Madrid booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals after a tense and dramatic 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium on Saturday (5 July). Goals from Gonzalo García, Fran García, and Kylian Mbappé powered the Spanish giants into a heavyweight clash with Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Despite a commanding first-half performance, Real were made to suffer in the closing stages as Dortmund mounted a spirited comeback only for Thibaut Courtois to seal the win with a last-gasp save.
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Early Dominance and Spanish Precision
Real Madrid were in full control from the opening whistle. In just the 10th minute, Arda Güler picked out Gonzalo García with a precise cross, and the young striker finished first-time to give Los Blancos the lead.
Ten minutes later, Fran García doubled the advantage, latching onto a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold another of Xabi Alonso’s new signings and calmly slotting it home.
Though the tempo slowed due to intense heat in New Jersey, Madrid remained composed, keeping Dortmund at arm’s length. The Germans offered little attacking threat in the first half, struggling to break down Real’s organized defensive line.
Second-Half Drama: Comeback, Mbappé Magic, and Courtois Heroics
In the second half, Real shifted to game management, allowing Dortmund more of the ball. Tchouameni nearly made it 3-0 with a thunderous strike that hit the bar but it was disallowed due to an earlier offside.
Coach Xabi Alonso introduced Luka Modrić, Dani Ceballos, and Kylian Mbappé to regain control but the game took a sharp turn. In the 48th minute, Beier pounced on a loose ball and smashed home to pull one back for Dortmund.
Just as tension mounted, Mbappé answered emphatically. The French star scored a stunning volley, meeting a looping cross with perfect timing to restore the two-goal lead.
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Red Card, Penalty, and Courtois Saves the Day
But the game still had more twists. Deep in injury time, Dean Huijsen brought down a Dortmund player in the box, earning a straight red. Guirassy converted the penalty with composure, making it 3-2 and setting up a frantic finish.
Dortmund nearly forced extra time in the final play, but Courtois, returning to full form, made a world-class save to deny a point-blank equalizer ensuring Real Madrid’s passage to the semis.
Semi-Final Showdown: Real Madrid vs PSG
With the win, Real Madrid will now face PSG led by their former talisman Lionel Messi and fresh off a Champions League title in a blockbuster semi-final on Wednesday (July 9) at 4 pm (Brasília time), again at MetLife Stadium.
On the other side of the bracket, Fluminense and Chelsea will battle for the remaining spot in the final, setting up the potential for an all-European showdown or a historic Brazilian breakthrough.
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