Real Madrid Beat Dortmund 3–2, Set Up Blockbuster Semi-Final Clash with PSG

Real Madrid Edge Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in Club World Cup Thriller to Reach Semi-Finals

Real Madrid booked their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup after surviving a frantic finish in a dramatic 3–2 victory over Borussia Dortmund. The action-packed match, played at a packed stadium, featured three late goals and a red card in added time, ensuring a nail-biting conclusion to an otherwise dominant display by the Spanish giants.

Madrid Start Strong with Two Early Goals
The match began in Madrid’s favour as Gonzalo Garcia continued his red-hot form in the competition by opening the scoring in the 10th minute. The 19-year-old forward timed his run perfectly to connect with Arda Güler’s precise cross, volleying the ball into the net for his fourth goal in five Club World Cup appearances.

Just ten minutes later, Fran Garcia doubled Madrid’s lead. The full-back arrived at the far post to tap in a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was again impressive with his vision and delivery from the flanks. At 2–0, Madrid appeared to be in full control and on course for a comfortable win.

Dortmund’s Late Fightback Sparks Chaos
Borussia Dortmund, however, refused to go down without a fight. Substitute Maximilian Beier reignited the contest with a goal in the 87th minute, catching the Madrid defence off guard and pulling one back for the German side. The strike gave Dortmund fresh belief and triggered a chaotic sequence of events in stoppage time.

Madrid responded almost immediately through Kylian Mbappé, who came off the bench to score a stunning acrobatic volley, restoring the two-goal cushion and what seemed to be sealing the win. But just seconds after the restart, drama struck again.

Huijsen Sent Off, Guirassy Converts from the Spot
Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy inside the box. The referee wasted no time pointing to the penalty spot and giving Huijsen his marching orders. Guirassy made no mistake from 12 yards, smashing the ball past Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to make it 3–2.

Despite the tension, there was no further twist in the tale, and Real Madrid held on to secure victory and progression to the next round.

Garcia Emerges as Club World Cup Breakout Star
With his fourth goal of the tournament, Gonzalo Garcia now finds himself in a strong position in the race for the Club World Cup Golden Boot. He is currently level with Angel Di Maria and Marcos Leonardo, both of whom have been knocked out of the tournament, giving Garcia a clear path to win the prestigious individual honour if he scores in the semi-finals or beyond.

The teenage sensation has impressed throughout the competition with his sharp finishing, intelligent movement, and growing influence in Madrid’s attack — raising comparisons to young stars who previously made their mark on the world stage at this tournament.

Real Madrid’s Semi-Final Ambitions
Real Madrid’s dramatic win sets up a semi-final clash, where they will be hoping to tighten their defence while maintaining the attacking threat that has carried them this far. With players like Garcia, Güler, Mbappé, and Alexander-Arnold in top form, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be confident of reaching the final and claiming another piece of silverware for the club.

However, concerns remain over defensive lapses and the red card to Huijsen, which could impact their squad depth for the next round.

Conclusion: Madrid Survive Scare, But Eyes Remain on the Prize
The 3–2 win over Dortmund served as both a warning and a reminder of Madrid’s resilience. While they let a comfortable lead slip late on, their quality in front of goal and depth off the bench proved decisive.

As the Club World Cup heats up, Real Madrid remain favourites to lift the trophy — and Gonzalo Garcia’s rise could be the tournament’s biggest story.