Real Madrid advanced to the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund, sealing their 14th win in 15 matches at the tournament and underlining their status as serious contenders under manager Xabi Alonso.
Los Blancos wasted no time stamping their authority on the quarter-final clash, opening the scoring in the early minutes through Gonzalo García. The forward latched onto a sublime cross from Arda Güler and volleyed home from close range to net his fourth goal of the tournament.
Madrid doubled their lead shortly after, as Fran García connected with a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold to sweep home the second, putting the Spanish giants firmly in control.
Dortmund struggled to keep pace in the first half, with Vinicius Junior twice attempting audacious 40-yard efforts that narrowly missed, warning the German side of Madrid’s attacking threat.
Despite boasting nine wins from their last ten matches, Niko Kovač’s men were largely neutralized by Madrid’s pressing and possession-heavy play.
The second half offered Dortmund a brief glimmer of hope. Julian Brandt forced a routine save from Thibaut Courtois on the hour mark, but Real responded by bringing on experienced midfield maestro Luka Modrić and star forward Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman would later make his mark in dramatic fashion.
After Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier pulled one back late in the game, Mbappé responded instantly with a spectacular acrobatic volley to restore Madrid’s two-goal cushion.
However, the drama didn’t end there. From the next play, Dortmund surged forward and were awarded a penalty after Dean Huijsen brought down Serhou Guirassy in the box, a challenge that also earned the Madrid defender a red card. Guirassy calmly converted from the spot to make it 3-2 in the dying moments, but there was no time left for an equaliser.
Real Madrid will now face Paris Saint-Germain in a highly anticipated semi-final clash, while Dortmund exit the tournament with their 10-match unbeaten streak snapped.
Man of the Match: Fran García (Real Madrid)
