Real Madrid have become the final team to secure their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC), edging out Borussia Dortmund with a 3-2 victory, marking their 14th win in the last 15 CWC encounters.
Under the guidance of new coach Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid appear to be finding their stride at the CWC and started their quarter-final match in emphatic style.
Arda Güler found himself with ample space on the left flank and delivered a precise cross to Gonzalo García, who volleyed past the keeper from close range, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.
Madrid’s momentum continued as they increased their lead to two goals after 20 minutes; the wing-backs combined brilliantly, with Fran García finishing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the back post.
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Throughout the first half, Dortmund were skating on thin ice, with Vinicius Junior twice attempting audacious long-range efforts, nearly putting the game well out of reach before the break.
Both times he recognised Gregor Kobel off his line, only to be thwarted in his attempts to score from 40 yards, yet the shots served as a warning to the German side.
Despite having won nine of their last ten matches across all competitions, Niko Kovač’s team struggled against the might of Los Blancos and offered little indication of a comeback.
It wasn’t until the hour mark that Dortmund managed to challenge Thibaut Courtois, with Julian Brandt’s low shot being comfortably handled by the Belgian goalkeeper.
Seeing the play beginning to tilt in favour of Dortmund, Alonso turned to his bench, bringing on Luka Modric and Kylian Mbappe to alter the game’s dynamics. Modric nearly made an immediate impact, finding space just outside the box, but his shot was intercepted and fell into Kobel’s arms.
For the majority of the closing stages, Madrid were in total command, dazzling Dortmund with their quick, fluid passing, yet this couldn’t prevent Maximilian Beier from clinching a late consolation goal.
In the dying minutes, the match became frantic—Mbappe acrobatically volleyed home just moments after the restart.
However, Dortmund responded quickly. They were awarded a penalty when Serhou Guirassy was brought down in the box by Dean Huijsen, who received a red card for his challenge.
Guirassy composed himself and slotted the penalty home, capping off a wild period of stoppage time.
Alonso’s side now faces perhaps its greatest challenge yet, as they prepare to meet European champions PSG in the semi-finals, but with four consecutive wins, confidence will be high.
As for Dortmund, their first-ever CWC campaign has come to an end, along with a ten-match unbeaten streak.
For more details on the match, catch up here.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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