Serhou Guirassy’s two goals propelled Borussia Dortmund into a sensational quarter-final matchup with five-time FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) champions Real Madrid, following their 2-1 victory over Monterrey at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday.
The CWC newcomers, Dortmund, entered the match unbeaten in their last ten outings (W8, D2) before the kick-off. This positive momentum enabled Niko Kovac’s men to assert themselves early against Monterrey in a historic first clash with a Liga MX team.
It took just 14 minutes for the quality gap to show, as BVB struck first. Guirassy was the architect of their success, deftly slotting a one-on-one chance past goalkeeper Esteban Andrada after receiving a sublime back-heel assist from Karim Adeyemi.
Unfazed, Monterrey sought to equalise almost immediately after the restart, with a cross-shot from Jesus Corona rattling the outside of the post, followed by Nelson Deossa’s powerful shot forcing a save from Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund retaliated promptly, with Guirassy finding the net again just ten minutes after his opening goal. Once more, he was on the receiving end of Adeyemi’s clever vision, calmly placing the ball into the corner of the net while breaking through on goal.
The Guinean international looked unstoppable and came within inches of completing a hat trick just after the half-hour mark, narrowly missing Jobe Bellingham’s delightful cross that zipped across the danger zone.
Whatever motivational speech was delivered in the Monterrey locker room during the break proved effective, as they swiftly reduced the deficit to one goal just three minutes after the second half began.
German striker Berterame, who had already scored twice in the tournament, crucially netted with a header from close range.
Despite the introduction of the experienced Marcel Sabitzer in a bid to quell Monterrey’s resurgence, Kobel was forced to deliver another top-notch save, denying Corona’s one-on-one attempt from finding the back of the net at the near post.
Montreal’s pressure wasn’t relenting, as they continued to push forward, with Berterame having a goal disallowed for an exceptionally close offside as the match ticked past the hour mark.
Even a late triple substitution featuring attack-minded players Lucas Ocampos and Roberto de la Rosa wasn’t enough for Monterrey to force extra time, as Dortmund held on despite a lacklustre second-half display to secure a spot in Saturday’s final match-up.
A taste of the Big Apple ultimately proved too much for Monterrey, and a repeat of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final will be set to unfold in New York this weekend. Guirassy capped off an impressive campaign for the Mexican side at the 2025 FIFA CWC, who had previously gone unbeaten in the group stage (W1, D2).
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