Garcia celebrates after scoring his fourth Club World Cup goal
Real Madrid are the fourth and final team to book their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) semi-finals, moving past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 to secure a 14th win from their last 15 CWC games.
Real Madrid have been warming to the task at the CWC and under new boss0Xabi Alonso, and they made the perfect start to their quarter-final tie.
Arda GFCler was afforded too much space down the Madrid left and he floated a perfect cross onto the boot of Gonzalo GarcDa, who volleyed the Spanish side into the lead from six yards with his fourth goal of the tournament.
There was no stopping Alonso’s men in the opening stages, and they doubled their advantage after 20 minutes when their two wing-backs combined, with Fran GarcDa weeping home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the far post.0
_______________________________________________
Sponsored:
FIFA Club World Cup - Every Game Free, exclusively on DAZN.
Sign up here to start streaming.
_______________________________________________
Dortmund were pushing their luck throughout the opening 45 minutes, and two audacious efforts from Vinicius Junior almost placed the game beyond them.
Twice he spotted0Gregor Kobel off his line, and twice his 40-yard strikes were unsuccessful in lobbing the Dortmund stopper, but they served as a huge warning sign for the German outfit.
Niko Kovač’s men were never likely to be underestimated by Madrid, given they’d won nine of their last ten in all competitions - but they were being stifled by Los Blancos and showing few signs of being able to make a recovery.
Momentum
They did eventually test Thibaut Courtois’ resistance on the hour mark through Julian Brandt, whose low drive was easily gathered by the Belgian stopper.
Perhaps sensing the game was swinging in Dortmund’s favour, Alonso looked to his bench to introduce0Luka Modric and Kylian Mbappe in a bid to change the flow of the game, and introducing the Croatian almost paid immediate dividends when he found himself unmarked on the edge of the area, but his effort trickled into the grateful hands of Kobel.0
Madrid were in total control for most of the closing stages and gave Dortmund the run around at times with some of the free-flowing passing, but that didn’t prevent Maximilian Beier snatching a late consolation goal.
A frantic end to the game ensued as Mbappe acrobatically volleyed home just seconds after the restart, but the action wasn’t finished there.
Dortmund went straight on the offensive from the restart and earned a penalty when Serhou Guirassy was hauled down in the area by Dean Huijsen, who was subsequently sent off.
The Guinean international dusted himself off and converted from the spot to round off a crazy stoppage-time period.0
Alonso’s men will face perhaps their toughest test yet in the semi-finals as they lock horns with European champions PSG, but having won four games in a row, they ought to be confident.
As for Dortmund, their maiden CWC appearance is over and so is their 10-match unbeaten run.0
Key match stats
Catch up on the match here.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal & Chelsea formation for this season Fluminense vs. ChelseaPSG vs. Real Madrid The Club World Cup semifinals are set Real Madrid take down Dortmund to reach the Club World Cup semifinals France beat reigning champs England in their Women's Euros opener Chelsea have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund Thoughts A...
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Manchester United since November and it's now been claimed that the striker could skip pre-season with SportingViktor Gyokeres has been linked to Man UtdManchester United have received a promising update on Viktor Gyokeres.However, Sporting CP's president Frederico Varandas last month firmly stated that the forward wouldn't be leaving for €60mil...
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing an Arsenal player in return as the Gunners close in on Noni Madueke.Chelsea are interested in Ethan Nwaneri.Chelsea and Arsenal could complete yet another transfer after Noni Madueke, should the 23-year-old winger seal a switch to the Emirates Stadium this summer. The Gunners have reportedly agreed personal terms with Madueke ahead of opening club-to-cl...
Manchester United are reportedly contemplating making a shock move to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer after his departure from Everton. With financial caution dictating this summer’s recruitment strategy, Amorim is believed to be keen on bolstering the squad with low-risk, high-upside signings, with Calvert-Lewin fitting the bill perfectly.United eager to bolster their attackHa...
Barcelona eye Leao as Milan set asking priceBarcelona have been made aware that a proposal in the region of €70 million, with additional performance-based clauses, may be enough to convince AC Milan to consider selling Rafael Leão, according to Diario Sport.The Portuguese winger has already attracted interest from Bayern Munich, but the German champions reportedly failed to reach an agr...
Harry Kane costs Bayern Munich in PSG lossHarry Kane's error paved the way to Bayern Munich's Club World Cup loss to nine-man Paris Saint-Germain, as Jamal Musiala suffered a horror injury.Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025TELL ME MOREAfter an end-to-end opening, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could only find the side netting when put through by Achraf Ha...
Luis-DiazLuis Diaz opened up on his future plans as Barcelona have reportedly reignited their interest in the Liverpool star after they were snubbed by Nico Williams. Hours after Williams’ contract extension was officially announced, reports emerged linking the Blaugrana with Díaz, who has long been admired by sporting director Deco. The Colombian forward is now seen as a priority for B...
FBL-WC-CLUB-2025-MATCH59-PSG-BAYERNBayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has criticised Paris Saint-Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma for his role in Jamal Musiala's injury.WHAT HAPPENED?The PSG stopper collided with Musiala in the first half of Bayern's 2-0 Club World Cup quarter-final loss on Saturday, with the 22-year-old having to be stretchered off for a serious-looking injury. Now, Eberl...
Aston Villa FC v Manchester City FC - Premier LeagueKyle Walker has bid Manchester City fans an emotional farewell message following his move to Burnley.WHAT HAPPENED?Hours after Walker signed for Burnley on a two-year deal from City in a deal worth up to £5 million, the England international has taken to social media to thank fans for their support, while also reflecting on just how successf...
Real Madrid CF v Borussia Dortmund: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Kylian Mbappe was left stunned as Gonzalo Garcia matched a Cristiano Ronaldo Club World Cup goals record after scoring against Borussia Dortmund.WHAT HAPPENED?Garcia gave Madrid a 10th-minute lead over Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarter-finals for his fourth goal of the competition, and Fran Garcia's 20th-minute strike...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 3 Five players ask to leave Man Utd including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and Sancho
- 4 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 5 Diogo Jota's wife arrives at chapel where tragic star's coffin is taken
- 6 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner
- 9 Diogo Jota's family life with beautiful wife, cheeky sons, baby girl and dogs
- 10 Ex-Chelsea wonderkid RETIRES at age of 28 just three years after Stamford Bridge exit as injuries put end to playing career