Borussia Dortmund eliminated by Real Madrid in FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals

Borussia Dortmund’s FIFA Club World Cup adventure was brought to an end in the quarter-finals following a 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid in New Jersey.

Real Madrid 3-2 Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 G. Garcia (10'), 2-0 F. Garcia (20'), 2-1 Beier (90'+3), 3-1 Mbappé (90'+4), 3-2 Guirassy (pen. 90'+8)
Sent off: Huijsen 90+5'

Deprived of Jobe Bellingham due to suspension, Dortmund struggled to find their rhythm initially, although Julian Brandt did flash a header narrowly wide early on with what was BVB’s only real chance of the first half.

Real Madrid, by contrast, soon cranked into gear and took the lead after just 10 minutes when Gonzalo García volleyed in Arda Güler’s cross from the left. They doubled their advantage a short while later after Trent Alexander-Arnold got behind Dortmund’s defence, drilling a low cross from the right that Fran García stroked in.

Jude Bellingham could have put Xabi Alonso’s side out of sight with a fine run that culminated with his left-footed shot fizzing just wide of Gregor Kobel’s goal.

Vinícius Júnior could likewise have put the game to bed in the first half only to see his attempted lob sail well wide of the target. 

Niko Kovač made three changes at half-time and they had an immediate impact, with BVB looking more courageous and adventurous in attack. Brandt and the lively Maximilian Beier both fired off warning signs from distance but their efforts did not seriously trouble goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Auerelien Tchouameni hit the crossbar from distance in response, but with time running out for BVB, the Spanish side went into game-management mode, retaining possession well and running down the clock.

There was still some late drama however, as first Beier managed to smash in a consolation in stoppage time, only for Kylian Mbappé to reply almost instantly with an acrobatic scissor kick to make it 3-1.

Serhou Guirassy then scored a penalty deep into stoppage time after being fouled, and Marcel Sabitzer had a fierce volley well saved with the last kick of the game, as Real Madrid moved into the semi-finals against Paris Saint-German on 9 July.

Match stats

• Dortmund have lost just two of their last 15 games in all competitions.
• Guirassy's four goals at the Club World Cup make him joint top scorer along with Benfica's Ángel Di María, Real Madrid's Gonzalo García and Al-Hilal's Marcos Leonardo.
• Guirassy and Pascal Groß both made their 50th appearances for Dortmund.
• Jude Bellingham made 132 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 24 goals. He was also named 2022/23 Bundesliga Player of the Season.
• Real were Dortmund's fifth opponent from a fifth different confederation at this tournament, making them the only quarter-finalist to face sides from five different continents.

Line-ups

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel - Süle (Couto 46'), Anton, Bensebaini - Ryerson, Groß (Nmecha 46'), Sabitzer, Svensson - Brandt (c) (Duranville 63', Chukwuemeka 81'), Adeyemi (Beier 46') - Guirassy
Unused subs: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Reyna, Campbell, Mané, Inacio, Albert, Azhil, Benkara
Out: Bellingham (suspended), Can (groin), Özcan (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Niko Kovač

Real Madrid: Courtois - Rüdiger, Tchouaméni (Asencio 85'), Huijsen - Alexander-Arnold (Ceballos 67'), Bellingham (Mbappé 67'), Valverde (c), Güler, Fran García - Gonzalo García (Rodrygo 86'), Vinícius Júnior (Modrić 67')
Unused subs: Lunin, Carvajal, Militão, Lucas Vasquez, Brahim, Youssef, Jacobo, Chema, Muñoz, Martín
Out: Alaba (muscle), Camavinga (tendon), Endrick (hamstring), Mendy (muscle)
Coach: Xabi Alonso

As it happened!

3 - 2

(2 - 0)

Madrid

FINAL

Dortmund

FIFA Club World Cup
Quarter-final Quarter-final MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Full-time: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund

The Bundesliga side almost completed an improbable comeback with two goals in stoppage time, but Dortmund ultimately follow Bayern out of the FIFA Club World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a dramatic encounter in New Jersey.

© IMAGO/Mostafa Bassim

Full-time

90'

+ 9

Courtois denies Sabitzer

A chance for an equaliser right at the end is stopped in superb fashion after a sharp drive from the Austrian was destined for the bottom-left.

90'

+ 8

Guriassy smashes in!

The Dortmund striker rifles the spot kick into the roof of the net - what incredible drama at the end of this match, do Dortmund still have time against ten-man Real?

90'

+ 8

Serhou Guirassy

GOAL!

3:2

Penalty

90'

+ 6

Red card

Dean Huijsen

90'

+ 6

Penalty to Dortmund!

Huijsen is sent off for bringing Guirassy down in the box.

90'

+ 4

Mbappé makes it three

The France international slams a spectacular volley in at the far post to surely seal Dortmund's exit...

90'

+ 4

Kylian Mbappé

GOAL!

3:1

90'

+ 3

Beier gives Dortmund hope!

Rüdiger fails to clear the ball and Beier takes it down well before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to bring Dortmund right back into it with a couple of minutes remaining!

90'

+ 3

Maximilian Beier

GOAL!

2:1

90'

Güler gets corner

Güler has a fierce drive deflected behind. Five additional minutes are indicated, with Real Madrid on the attack.

89'

Chukwuemeka steers wide

Carney Chukwuemeka shimmies inside and curls a shot just wide - that's good ambition from the English youngster, but will it be too little, too late for Dortmund?

88'

Now or never for Dortmund

Time is running out for the Bundesliga side, with Daniel Svensson getting tackled in the box before Felix Nmecha fires well wide from distance.

86'

Substitution

Rodrygo

Gonzalo García

85'

Substitution

Raúl Asencio

Aurélien Tchouaméni

82'

Chukwuemeka comes on

Carney Chukwuemeka replaces the injured Duranville for the remainder, just before Couto flashes a shot wide.

82'

Substitution

Carney Chukwuemeka

Julien Duranville

80'

Duranville down

The Dortmund youngster goes to ground in the middle of the pitch and has to leave the field for treatment.

Cooling time

The players break to take on fluids again, with Dortmund needing a couple of moments of magic to somehow get back into this game.

© IMAGO/David Klein

75'

Modrić and Mbappé stopped

Real play the ball around with ease once more and Modrić sends in a low drive that Kobel reaches down to meet and keep Dortmund in the game. The Swiss shot stopper stands tall to deny Mbappé moments later.

72'

Madrid back on the ball

Unfortunately for Dortmund, the substitutions appear to have boosted Real Madrid as they thread together an intricate passing move that leads to Valverde cutting the ball back into the box from a dangerous position before the Bundesliga side can clear.

67'

All change for Alonso

Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso makes three changes as he seeks to see out the two-goal lead.

67'

Substitution

Dani Ceballos

Trent Alexander-Arnold

67'

Substitution

Luka Modrić

Vinicius Junior

67'

Substitution

Kylian Mbappé

Jude Bellingham

64'

Yellow for Yan

The substitute commits a high challenge and misses the ball, getting himself a yellow card in the process.

64'

Yellow card

Yan Couto

63'

Throw of the dice by Kovač

Can young Julien Duranville help to inspire an unlikely comeback?

63'

Substitution

Julien Duranville

Julian Brandt

61'

Beier looks for Svensson

Dortmund move the ball well again as Beier sends a slide-rule pass through for Svensson to chase - but the full-back can't quite reach it. Beier then has a shot himself saved by Courtois as Dortmund look to step up a gear.

58'

Brandt high and wide

The Dortmund playmaker has a go from the edge of the area but misses the target handsomely.

57'

Kobel out to collect

The Dortmund goalkeeper races out to defuse a dangerous through ball that almost sent Vinícius clean through on goal.

BVB bossing the ball

FIFA's stats show Dortmund have seen 52% of possession so far compared to 38% for Real Madrid, but the Bundesliga outfit have hit just four shots to Real's eight.

© IMAGO/Vincent Carchietta

50'

Bensebaini over

Bensebaini meets Daniel Svensson's corner from the left, but heads well over.

49'

Beier looking eager

Two of the half-time introductions, Beier and Felix Nmecha, combine on the left before Beier tries to work the ball into the box from the right. Daniel Svensson then wins a corner in a bright start to the second half for the Black and Yellows.

46'

Substitution

Maximilian Beier

Karim Adeyemi

46'

Substitution

Felix Nmecha

Pascal Groß

46'

Substitution

Yan Couto

Niklas Süle

46'

We're back out

Dortmund start the second period with Niko Kovač making three changes at the break...

Kick-off!

Half-time: Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund saw their bold plans for the quarter-final torn apart by a potent Real Madrid attack. The Bundesliga side are left needing a massive second-half showing to remain in the Club World Cup - they did create a few chances in the first 45 but will need a lot more.

© IMAGO/Jose Breton

Half-time

45'

Into stoppage time

We are due an additional three minutes in New Jersey before Niko Kovač gets a chance to plot a comeback with his charges.

44'

Groß crosses

Pascal Groß swings a deep cross in from the left, but Courtois claims it comfortably.

40'

Vinícius off target

Real attack for the first time in a while, but they look dangerous once more as Vinícius flashes a shot well off-target from the edge of the box.

38'

First booking for Groß

The Dortmund midfielder steps on an opponent's foot when battling for the ball and becomes the first player to see a yellow card.

38'

Yellow card

Pascal Groß

36'

Dortmund on the attack

It has been better from a Dortmund perspective since play resumed after the cooling break. They take the ball forward, and Julian Brandt has a shot blocked.

Welcome break

The two sides pause for a much-needed cooling break. Dortmund are having to focus on remaining in this encounter, with Real continuing to attack after going 2-0 up.

© IMAGO/David Klein

29'

Kobel collects from Vinícius

Bellingham has the ball on the edge of the box, and it falls into the path of Vinícius, who cracks a shot in but Kobel is equal to it.

27'

Real playing keep ball

Dortmund have to chase the Spanish side on a sweltering afternoon as they zip the ball around now. Jude Bellingham is sent in on goal but slots just wide against his former club.

Dortmund trailing rampant Real

The men in black and yellow made a purposeful start and had a couple of early chances, but the Spanish giants' attacking movement and fine finishing has seen them race into a daunting early lead.

© IMAGO/David Klein

20'

Dortmund two down

Trent Alexander-Arnold cuts a deadly ball across the Dortmund box and Fran Garcia is there to poke it in at the far post - Niko Kovač's side have it all to do now!

20'

Fran Garcia

GOAL!

2:0

16'

Dortmund work it around

The Bundesliga side have looked undeterred at falling behind and continue to pass the ball around sharply - finding Karim Adeyemi on the left until he is crowded out by the Real Madrid defence.

12'

Groß has a go

Pscal Groß tries to get Dortmund back on level terms right away, but his drive from the right is saved well by Courtois.

10'

Dortmund trail

A goal had looked likely after an open start to the quarter-final, and it has come in Gregor Kobel's net as young Real Madrid striker Gonzalo reaches a cross at the near post to volley his side ahead in plenty of space.

10'

Gonzalo Garcia

GOAL!

1:0

7'

Action at both ends

Julian Brandt clips a header narrowly wide at the near post before Gonzalo fails to meet a good cross behind the Dortmund defence - this has been a lively opening few minutes!

5'

Solid Süle

Vinicius tries to dart into the Dortmund box from the left, but Niklas Süle was reading the run and gets in the Brazilian's way.

3'

Promising move

Julian Brandt threads a neat through-ball past the Real defence for Serhou Guirassy to chase, but the Dortmund striker is flagged offside.

We're underway

After a moment's silence in memory of Liverpool's Diogo Jota, Real Madrid get the fourth and final Club World Cup quarter-final started.

© IMAGO/David Klein

Kick-off!

Here they come!

The Borussia Dortmund players are entering the MetLife Stadium one by one, which means kick-off is just minutes away.

PSG ahead for winners

In case you missed it, PSG beat Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich 2-0 in today's other quarter-final. It was a tense and close game, in which the European champions landed two late goals to progress. Should Dortmund beat Real, they would face PSG in the semi-finals.

© IMAGO/Latin Sport Images

Bellingham proud of younger bro

Despite suspension denying Jobe the chance to face his older brother tonight, the former Dortmund midfielder has told bundesliga.com about his pride in his sibling following his footsteps, saying: "I'm really proud that the step at Dortmund continues for my family."

© IMAGO/David Klein

Revenge for Wembley in sights?

Dortmund v Real Madrid brings back instant memories of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at London's Wembley Stadium, in which Dortmund had several good chances before Real ran out 2-0 winners. Four players who lined up that evening start today for the Black and Yellows in New Jersey.

No changes from Alonso

Real Madrid begin with the same XI that knocked Juventus out in the round of 16, with Kylian Mbappé on the bench once again.

© IMAGO/Jose Breton

More on those teams

Dortmund coach Niko Kovač has made two changes to his side following the 2-1 win over Monterrey in the previous round, with Marcel Sabitzer replacing the suspended Jobe Bellingham and Julian Brandt coming into attacking midfield for Felix Nmecha.

© David Ramos

Dortmund starting XI

Kobel - Süle, Anton, Bensebaini - Ryerson, Groß, Sabitzer, Svensson - Brandt (c), Adeyemi - Guirassy

Dortmund subs

Ostrzinski, Meyer, Couto, Reyna, Nmecha, Beier, Duranville, Chukwuemeka, Campbell, Mané, Inacio, Albert, Azhil, Benkara

Real Madrid starting XI

Courtois - Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Huijsen - Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham, Valverde (c), Güler, Fran García - Gonzalo, Vinícius Júnior

Real Madrid subs

Lunin, Carvajal, Militão, Mbappé, Modrić, Rodrygo, Lucas Vasquez, Ceballos, Brahim, Youssef, Jacobo, Asencio, Chema, Muñoz, Martín

No parking the bus

Julian Brandt was in confident mood ahead of BVB's last-eight showdown with Real Madrid in New Jersey. "We have a lot of respect for Real – but we also know that we can score goals because we’ve already shown that," the Dortmund midfielder said. "Anything can happen in 90 minutes – that’s how quarter-final matches are. And I believe Real Madrid has huge respect for us. They know we’re not coming here just to park the bus,” Brandt added.

© IMAGO/Brett Davis

1:03

Final preparations

The training-ground work is complete and BVB can now focus on one of the biggest games at the Club World Cup so far, a last-eight meeting with the record European Cup winners Real Madrid.

Niko Kovač on facing Real

"You can already see that Xabi is playing the same system as in Leverkusen. We're also seeing a similar intensity there as in Leverkusen – against the ball, after losing the ball, and with the ball. This obviously shows that Xabi is very confident in his approach – and he'll certainly reinforce this even more at Real Madrid."

© IMAGO/Peter Zay

Xabi Alonso on facing BVB

"The Borussia Dortmund in this game will be more similar to the team I faced [as Bayer Leverkusen] coach last May than the team Madrid played [in last season's Champions League group phase]. They are different set-ups. Since Niko [Kovač] has come in, [Dortmund] have been in the ascendency and are competing really well."

© IMAGO/André Coelho

Semi-final Klassiker?

It's certainly possible. If Dortmund beat Real Madrid and Bayern also get the better of PSG in their quarter-final on Saturday, then Germany's two representatives will meet in the last four on Wednesday 9 July in New Jersey.

© ALEXANDRA BEIER

Dortmund upping sticks

BVB held their final training session at Inter Miami's complex in Fort Lauderdale on Friday before packing up their camp and heading for New Jersey. Their quarter-final meeting with Real Madrid will be held at the MetLife Stadium there, as will both semi-finals and the final, so it makes sense to stay in the local area to reduce potential travel time and effort.

© Hendrik Deckers

Gittens on verge of Chelsea move

Dortmund will be without Jamie Gittens for this clash, as well as the rest of the tournament, as the 20-year-old prepares to complete a move to English Premier League Side Chelsea. He has competed in just one game at the tournament so far.

© Alexander Scheuber/Bundesliga

2:46

Watch: Karim Adeyemi - "We have no reason to hide"

Karim Adeyemi on facing Real, Xabi Alonso, the Club World Cup experience and more.

Alaba misfortune

It's not been the best of times for the 10-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich, David Alaba, at Real Madrid. The Austrian recently sustained a calf problem not long after the defender recovered from a knee injury and is expected to miss the upcoming quarter-final against his old Klassiker rivals Dortmund.

© IMAGO/Marco Bader

1:21

Watch: Guirassy & Co. talk Real test

Gregor Kobel, Serhou Guirassy and Niko Kovač give their thoughts on Borussia Dortmund's FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Real Madrid.

1:00

Watch: Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga story

There's no question Alonso earned his shot in the Real dugout following a quite remarkable spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen that included an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in 2023/24. All told, the 43-year-old, who represented Real as a player, oversaw 140 competitive matches at the helm of Die Werkself, before returning to the Bernabeu at the end of 2024/25 to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.

Mbappé back

Kylian Mbappé made his first Club World Cup 2025 appearance against Juve. A second-half substitute following a stomach bug that forced him out of the group stage, the Frenchman is in line to start against Dortmund.

© IMAGO/David Klein

Bellingham blow

The only real blot to the copybook in Dortmund's win against Monterrey was Jobe Bellingham picking up his second yellow card of the tournament. The 19-year-old's now suspended against Real, meaning he'll have to wait to face brother and ex-BVB favourite Jude for the first time at senior level.

© IMAGO/Huang Zongzhi

The story so far: Dortmund

BVB also topped their section after drawing with Group F runners-up Fluminense but taking maximum points off Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD. Serhou Guirassy was the hero in the last 16, the Guinean's first-half brace securing a 2-1 win against Mexico's Monterrey in Atlanta.

© JUAN MABROMATA

The story so far: Real Madrid

Madrid are unbeaten after four games at the finals under new head coach Alonso. They were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in their opening fixture, before beating Pachucha 3-1 and Red Bull Salzburg 3-0 to top Group H. Youngster Gonzalo García then scored the only goal as Los Blancos edged out Juventus in the last 16.

© IMAGO/www.imagephotoagency.it

Welcome!

Borussia Dortmund go up against Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid for the right to face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals. Stay tuned for match-build-up, coverage and reaction...

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