In a clash that defied prediction and exploded with late drama, Real madrid secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Played out under sunny skies and an 86-degree Fahrenheit heat at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the match delivered everything fans could ask for: early goals, resilience, spectacular individual moments, and a chaotic, nail-biting finish that saw three goals scored deep into second-half stoppage time. This hard-fought win propels Los Blancos into a highly anticipated semi-final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Madrid seemed set for a far calmer afternoon after a dominant opening spell. Coach Xabi Alonso, opting for a slightly surprising lineup with Kylian Mbappé starting on the bench while regaining fitness after illness, saw his faith rewarded by younger players.
Madrid’s Swift Two-Goal Advantage
The Spanish giants quickly asserted control, finding the back of the net twice within the opening 20 minutes. The first breakthrough came in the 10th minute from 21-year-old Gonzalo García. Making a rare senior start, García showcased his predatory instincts, volleying home a pass from Arda Guler with a precise side-footed finish. This strike marked García’s fourth goal in the tournament, positioning him as a leading contender for the Golden Boot and highlighting his impressive breakout performance.
Just ten minutes later, Real Madrid doubled their lead. Left-back Fran García arrived unmarked in the box to tap home a cross delivered by Trent Alexander-Arnold, demonstrating excellent positioning and finishing from the defender. Real Madrid appeared firmly in control with a comfortable 2-0 lead, looking poised to advance with relative ease. Pundits praised Fran García’s performance, suggesting he might have cemented his place and potentially altered transfer plans for the left-back position.
Mid-Game Lull and Dortmund’s Growing Threat
As the first half wore on and into the second, Real Madrid seemed to lose some of their initial intensity, perhaps taking their foot off the gas pedal. Borussia Dortmund, despite falling behind early, improved their defensive shape and began to pose more of a threat, particularly on the counter-attack. Real Madrid had opportunities to extend their lead further and put the game beyond doubt. Jude Bellingham, who missed the chance to play against his brother Jobe due to Jobe’s yellow card suspension, had a chance shortly after the second goal but couldn’t convert. Later, Aurelien Tchouameni struck the crossbar around the hour mark, a moment that in hindsight proved crucial as it kept Dortmund within striking distance.
American midfielder Gio Reyna remained on the bench for Dortmund throughout the match, finishing the tournament with just a single brief appearance.
Unforgettable Stoppage Time Chaos
The match escalated into sheer pandemonium in the dying minutes. What looked like a comfortable victory for Real Madrid turned into a frantic struggle for survival as three goals flew in during second-half stoppage time.
Borussia Dortmund initiated the late surge. Three minutes into added time (90+3′), Maximilian Beier pulled a goal back for the German side, injecting sudden hope into the contest and creating a nervy atmosphere.
However, Real Madrid delivered an instant, spectacular response. Just one minute later (90+4′), substitute Kylian Mbappé, who had come on in the 67th minute for Jude Bellingham, produced a moment of pure genius. Connecting with a cross from a corner, Mbappé launched himself into the air to execute a stunning, acrobatic bicycle kick that found the back of the net, immediately restoring Real Madrid’s two-goal cushion at 3-1. Mbappé’s goal, described as the eventual “game-winner” due to its timing and impact, was a timely reminder of his world-class ability. After scoring, Mbappé displayed the number 20 on his hand in homage to Diogo Jota, acknowledging the moment of silence held before the match.
The Final Seconds: Penalty, Red Card, and a Match-Winning Save
The drama refused to subside. Deep into the eighth minute of added time (90+8′), Borussia Dortmund were awarded a penalty. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen committed a foul on striker Serhou Guirassy inside the box, a challenge that resulted in Huijsen being shown a straight red card. With the match now in its final breaths, Guirassy stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, narrowing the deficit back to 3-2 and leaving Real Madrid to navigate the final moments with just ten men.
The tension reached its peak on the game’s very last play. Marcel Sabitzer unleashed a shot on the turn for Dortmund that appeared destined for the net, threatening to send the match into extra time. But Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, making a crucial return from injury, stretched out a fingertip to palm the ball away, delivering a decisive, match-winning save that secured the victory for his side.
Managerial Reactions and Tournament Outlook
Speaking after the match, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged the dichotomy of his team’s performance. “We were doing really well and the match looked under control but then in the last 10 minutes things got crazy,” Alonso told DAZN. He admitted the team lost “focus and intensity when we didn’t have the ball” in the final moments, noting they were “lucky nothing else happened,” but also praised the “good 80 minutes” that preceded the late chaos. Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac attributed his team’s loss primarily to a passive first-half performance but felt they had achieved more than expected in the tournament.
The victory books Real Madrid’s spot in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals. Their next challenge is a highly anticipated clash against Kylian Mbappé’s former club, Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in their quarterfinal. The other semi-final sees Brazilian side Fluminense take on Chelsea. The winners will meet in the final. Real Madrid boasts a strong history in this competition, having lifted the trophy five times previously.
Context and Key Details
The match drew a significant crowd of 76,611 spectators to MetLife Stadium, the venue slated to host the next World Cup final. The playing surface dimensions had been modified for the tournament, creating a wider 74-by-114-yard field by removing corner seating. Beyond the on-field action, a poignant moment of silence was observed before kickoff in memory of Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically died in a car crash. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s participation despite the personal tragedy was also noted, with his manager and teammates highlighting his resilience.
This encounter added another chapter to the recent history between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid has enjoyed a period of dominance over the German club, winning their last five meetings and remaining unbeaten in seven encounters since 2014. This includes a memorable 2-0 victory in the 2024 Champions League final and a thrilling 5-2 league phase win earlier this season where Real Madrid overcame a two-goal halftime deficit.
Overall, Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund was a testament to their attacking firepower and resilience, despite late defensive lapses. The emergence of young talents like Gonzalo García, coupled with the decisive contributions from established stars like Mbappé and Courtois, proved enough to overcome a determined Dortmund side in a match that will be remembered for its incredible stoppage time twists and turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key events during stoppage time in the Real Madrid vs Dortmund match?
The final minutes were incredibly dramatic. Three goals were scored in second-half stoppage time. Maximilian Beier scored for Dortmund in the 93rd minute to make it 2-1. Just a minute later, Kylian Mbappé restored Real Madrid’s two-goal lead with a spectacular bicycle kick. The drama continued as Serhou Guirassy converted a penalty in the 98th minute after Dean Huijsen received a red card for a foul, bringing the score to 3-2. Finally, Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save on the last play to secure the win.
Who will Real Madrid play next in the FIFA Club World Cup?
Following their quarterfinal victory over Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid advances to the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Their next opponent is Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who qualified by defeating Bayern Munich 2-0. The semi-final match is scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How significant was Gonzalo Garcia’s performance in the match?
Gonzalo García’s performance was highly significant. The 21-year-old was given a starting spot by coach Xabi Alonso over Kylian Mbappé and opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 10th minute. This was his fourth goal in the tournament, placing him among the top scorers. His emergence as a goal threat and effective “proper number nine” in this competition, given his limited prior senior appearances, marks him as a notable breakout player for Real Madrid.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s chaotic yet victorious 3-2 conquest of Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarterfinals delivered a pulsating spectacle. While the early dominance and the sensational individual brilliance of Mbappé and Courtois were key, the match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining focus during closing stages, as noted by manager Xabi Alonso. The victory sets the stage for a mouth-watering semi-final clash against PSG at MetLife Stadium, where Real Madrid will need to combine their undeniable attacking talent with greater defensive solidity to continue their pursuit of a record sixth Club World Cup title.
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