Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Jul 6: Real Madrid booked their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday, setting up a high-voltage clash against European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Young striker Gonzalo Garcia continued his red-hot form, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament to give Real an early lead. Fran Garcia doubled the advantage in the 20th minute, capitalising on a well-constructed move down the right involving Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Kylian Mbappe, who came off the bench midway through the second half, added a spectacular overhead goal to restore Real’s two-goal cushion in stoppage time, after Dortmund's Maximilian Beier had pulled one back. A late penalty conversion by Serhou Guirassy following Dean Huijsen’s red card made it 3-2, but Real held on.
Real coach Xabi Alonso praised his side’s dominant 80 minutes while acknowledging the need for sharper focus in the dying stages. “The last 10 minutes were kind of crazy, but overall it was a good performance,” he said.
With Mbappe yet to start a game in the tournament, he now eyes a starting spot against his former club PSG in Wednesday’s semi-final at the same venue. The winner of that match will be favourites to lift the trophy, with Chelsea set to face Fluminense in the other semi-final.
Saturday’s match was witnessed by a packed crowd of 76,611 and echoed the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, which Real had won 2-0. This time, however, Real struck early, managing to survive a nervy finish.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac admitted defeat graciously, saying, “It’s not a failure to lose to a team like Real Madrid.”