In the 99th minute, Marcel Sabitzer unleashed a volley towards the near corner. Courtois reacted instantly, diving to parry the shot and then smothering the ball, preventing a potential 3-3 equalizer that would have sent the match into extra time.
The save immediately ignited Spanish media. On the live broadcast of Carrusel Deportivo, Cadena SER radio commentator Javi Herraez exclaimed, "I'm incredibly impressed by Courtois's save. It's as if the best goalkeeper in the world just threw Real Madrid a lifeline." Herraez argued that the save overshadowed Kylian Mbappe's stunning volley in the 94th minute, which had put Real up 3-1. "It was Courtois who sent Real to the semifinals, not Mbappe's volley," he declared.
Herraez's fellow commentators also heaped praise on Courtois. One remarked, "Shining in the final moments, Courtois saved Real from the exhaustion of extra time." The other suggested that Courtois deserved the Man of the Match award over Fran Garcia, the defender chosen by FIFA's technical committee, solely for that save.
On X, journalist Tomas Rocero from leading Spanish sports newspaper AS deemed the Belgian's stop the best save of the tournament so far.
"Real owes Courtois, as they often do," an AS commentary read. "He faced a shot from close range, but his reaction was superb. It was a miraculous save of extraordinary value."
Another major Spanish sports daily, Marca, dedicated an entire article to praising the Belgian goalkeeper, titled: "Courtois's miracle in the final play." The article stated: "Courtois's saves are a familiar sight in every Real Madrid match. He has rescued the team countless times, but few saves have had as significant an impact as this one at MetLife Stadium today. Thanks to Courtois, Real avoided conceding the equalizer and the ordeal of extra time while down a man due to Huijsen's red card."
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Sabitzer reacts in disbelief after being denied by Courtois. Photo: X / Real Madrid Extra |
In the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, Real Madrid took an early 2-0 lead with goals from Gonzalo Garcia in the 10th minute and Fran Garcia in the 20th. However, the match took a dramatic turn in the closing minutes. Beier's angled shot narrowed the gap in the 92nd minute. Mbappe then extended Real's lead to 3-1, but Dean Huijsen received a straight red card. Playing with a man advantage, Dortmund scored their second goal in the 98th minute and nearly equalized a minute later. Courtois's save prevented Real Madrid from playing two periods of extra time a man down.
"I did my best in that moment and got there just in time with my right hand. I'm overjoyed. But if the score had remained 2-0, we wouldn't have needed that save. We relaxed a bit with the heat and thought the game was over," Courtois commented.
Courtois made only three saves in the win against Dortmund. Previously, he made 10 saves in a 3-1 group stage victory over Pachuca, one more than in the 2022 Champions League final win against Liverpool.
Courtois joined Real Madrid in 2018 and has won two Champions League titles and three La Liga titles. He also won a La Liga title with Atletico Madrid and two Premier League titles with Chelsea.
On 10/7, Real Madrid will face PSG in the semifinals. Chelsea will play Fluminense in the other semifinal.
"PSG is a great team and the reigning Champions League winners," Courtois said. "They play dynamic football and are in good form. For the sake of football, I hope the semifinal will be played in the evening. With the daytime heat, you could see the pace of both teams decrease in the last match."
Thanh Quy (via Marca, AS, FB)
