This highly anticipated semi-final match will take place at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey at 2 a.m. on 10/7, Hanoi time. The other semi-final will occur the day before between Chelsea and Fluminense.
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Gonzalo Garcia scores with a diagonal shot to open the scoring in Real Madrid's 3-2 victory over Dortmund in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA on 5/7/2025. Photo: AS |
Gonzalo Garcia scores with a diagonal shot to open the scoring in Real Madrid's 3-2 victory over Dortmund in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA on 5/7/2025. Photo: AS
Before the match, coach Niko Kovac claimed to have figured out his counterpart Xabi Alonso after their encounters in the previous Bundesliga season. However, once the game started, Real Madrid dominated, especially in the first half. The Spanish giants could have scored four goals in the first 45 minutes, which would have spared them a nail-biting finish.
Real Madrid didn't start with a high tempo, but they only needed 10 minutes to open the scoring. Arda Guler crossed from the left edge of the penalty area to Gonzalo Garcia, who positioned himself well and slotted the ball past Gregor Kobel.
The 21-year-old forward continued his impressive form after being promoted to the first team. Garcia is the only player to have contributed to goals in every match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with four goals and one assist.
In the 20th minute, Garcia made another impact with a pass to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who ran down the flank. The English newcomer delivered a one-touch cross to Fran Garcia on the opposite wing, who tapped in to double the lead.
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Fran Garcia celebrates his goal, making the score 2-0. Photo: AS |
Fran Garcia celebrates his goal, making the score 2-0. Photo: AS
Real Madrid should have scored two more goals in the remainder of the first half. In the 27th minute, Vinicius laid the ball off for Jude Bellingham, who burst into the box and unleashed a left-footed diagonal shot that narrowly missed the post. In the 40th minute, Guler threaded a pass through to Vinicius. Seeing the Dortmund goalkeeper off his line, the Brazilian forward attempted a chip, but it went over the bar.
The second half only came alive in stoppage time. In the second minute of added time, center-back Antonio Rudiger's weak clearance fell to Maximilian Beier, who had come on as a substitute. Beier's diagonal shot was beyond the reach of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
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Kylian Mbappe volleys a shot for a goal. Photo: Reuters |
Kylian Mbappe volleys a shot for a goal. Photo: Reuters
Real Madrid only needed two minutes to restore their two-goal advantage. From Guler's cross from the right wing, Kylian Mbappe executed an acrobatic volley that found the back of Kobel's net, marking his first goal in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The French forward wasn't at full strength after being hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis.
In Dortmund's subsequent attack, center-back Dean Huijsen brought down Serhou Guirassy in the penalty area and received a straight red card. From the penalty spot, Guirassy struck a powerful shot towards the left corner. Although Courtois guessed the right way, he couldn't reach the ball, resulting in a goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time. However, as only five minutes of added time were allocated, the referee blew the final whistle immediately after Real Madrid restarted play, denying Dortmund any chance of an equalizer.
Hong Duy
