Real Madrid successfully advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States with Kylian Mbappé's decisive goal.
Real defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the quarterfinal match held on the 6th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. They will face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a spot in the final.
On this day, Real deployed a 4-3-1-2 formation. Vinícius and Gonzalo García started as the strikers, and Bellingham supported them right behind. Güller, Tchouaméni, and Valverde formed the midfield. The defense was handled by Fran García, Haverson, Rüdiger, and Alexander-Arnold. The goal was guarded by Courtois.
Dortmund matched with a 3-5-2 formation. Adeyemi and Girasci led the attack, while Svensson, Brandt, Sabitzer, Groß, and Rütherston occupied the midfield. Bensebaini, Anton, and Kyllé formed a three-man defense. The goalkeeper was Kobel.
In the early stages of the match, Dortmund posed the first threat. In the 6th minute, Brandt connected a header from Svensson's cross but missed the goal. Real quickly countered. Fran García's cross was completed by Gonzalo with a right-footed shot, but it also went wide.
The first goal was scored by Real. In the 10th minute, Güller's delicate cross was connected by Gonzalo's right-footed volley, shaking the net.
Real extended their lead with an additional goal. In the 20th minute, Fran received Bellingham's ground cross and pushed it in with his left foot for the second goal.
The first half ended with Real leading 2-0.
At the start of the second half, Dortmund substituted Jules, Adeyemi, and Groß for Jan Kuto, Bayer, and Nmecha.
Real also made changes in the 67th minute, bringing in Ceballos, Modrić, and Mbappé for Bellingham, Vinícius, and Alexander-Arnold.
In the 74th minute, Real created a crucial opportunity. Modrić took a shot that went straight to the goalkeeper. Then, Mbappé broke through on the right and took a shot, but Kobel saved it. Dortmund had to substitute Duranvil, who was injured shortly after coming on, for Chukwuemeka.
In the 83rd minute, Real replaced Tchouaméni with Asensio. In the 40th minute, Rodrigo was substituted on for Gonzalo.
In stoppage time, Dortmund managed to score one goal back. Bayer finished off a ball cleared by Real's defense.
However, Real quickly sealed the deal. In the 94th minute of stoppage time, Mbappé scored a spectacular bicycle kick goal. After scoring, he performed a ceremony for Diogo Jota, who recently passed away in a car accident. He shaped his hands into his jersey number 20 and took a praying posture. He then celebrated the goal with his teammates.
Just before the end of the match, there was an unexpected turn of events. In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Real's Haverson received a direct red card for bringing down Girasci inside the box. Girasci successfully converted the penalty kick, but the match ended with Real's 3-2 victory.
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