Predictions
30 November, 2025
Kylian Mbappé delivered an unforgettable moment with a breathtaking bicycle kick, contributing to a flurry of goals during the second half’s stoppage time. Real Madrid triumphed 3-2 over Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, securing their semifinal spot against Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier found the net just three minutes into stoppage time, but it was Mbappé, who was subbed in at the 67th minute, who quickly restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion with his sensational strike. Serhou Guirassy managed to convert a penalty kick in the eighth minute of additional time after being fouled by Dean Huijsen, who was shown a red card and will miss the upcoming semifinal.
In a nail-biting conclusion, Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save, deflecting Marcel Sabitzer’s shot that could have leveled the game on the final play.
With their eyes now set on facing Mbappé’s former team, PSG, who dispatched Bayern Munich 2-0, Real Madrid is eager for the next challenge. The victor of this matchup will earn a spot in the final against either Fluminense or Chelsea.
“We were in control for the majority of the match, but the last ten minutes were chaotic,” commented Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso during a post-match interview with DAZN. “We lost a bit of our focus and intensity while defending. Thankfully, we managed to hold on, but we need to learn from those final minutes.”
On a sun-drenched afternoon with temperatures reaching 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), Madrid took an early lead with Gonzalo García scoring in the 10th minute, followed by Fran García in the 20th minute, putting them up 2-0.
Gonzalo García, a 21-year-old who had previously seen limited playing time in the Spanish league, impressed coach Xabi Alonso with his performance, scoring four goals, tying him for the tournament lead with Benfica’s Ángel Di María and Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo.
“He’s been exceptional in recent matches, and today he showcased his talent again,” Alonso praised. “We’re pleased with his contributions and his goal-scoring ability.”
Mbappé replaced Jude Bellingham, who was unable to compete against his brother Jobe due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards. Meanwhile, American midfielder Gio Reyna sat on the bench, completing the tournament with just one 13-minute appearance across five matches for Dortmund.
The match attracted a crowd of 76,611 at MetLife Stadium, the venue set to host next year’s World Cup final.
A moment of silence was observed before the match in memory of Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident on Thursday.
This match was not just a display of skill but highlighted the unpredictable nature of football. Real Madrid’s resilience and PSG’s strength set the stage for an electrifying semifinal that promises to be filled with intense competition and drama.
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