Real Madrid Defeats Dortmund 3-2 to Reach Club World Cup Semifinals

Real Madrid secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final, advancing to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals. Gonzalo García opened the scoring early for Madrid, followed by Fran García, giving them a strong 2-0 lead by the 20th minute. Dortmund fought back late with goals from Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy (penalty), but Kylian Mbappé’s stoppage-time strike restored Madrid’s advantage and helped clinch the win. The match featured intense moments, including a red card for Madrid’s Dean Huijsen and a critical save by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to deny Dortmund a possible equalizer. Dortmund coach Niko Kovač criticized the tournament’s scheduling and conditions, highlighting concerns about player welfare in the heat and midday kickoff times. Real Madrid’s manager Xabi Alonso praised his team’s tactical improvements and depth, preparing for a challenging semifinal against the tournament favorites PSG.