Real Madrid Set Up Club World Cup Quarterfinal Against Dortmund

Posted : 02 July 2025

Real Madrid secured their place in the Club World Cup quarterfinals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Borussia Dortmund. The match-winner was young striker Gonzalo Garcia, who continued his impressive form by heading in the decisive goal during the second half at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Earlier in the day, Dortmund had edged out Mexican side Monterrey 2-1, with Serhou Guirassy netting twice to deny Sergio Ramos a reunion with his former club.

Madrid’s performance was composed and controlled under new manager Xabi Alonso, who remains unbeaten since taking charge. Although Juventus started the match on the front foot, Real gradually imposed their rhythm. Garcia’s goal, his third of the tournament, came in the 54th minute after a precise cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Spanish side also received a boost with the return of Kylian Mbappé from illness, who came on as a substitute to a raucous reception from the crowd of over 62,000.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Juventus' resilience, particularly noting their goalkeeper’s outstanding performance in the second half. Alonso, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with the victory, crediting his players for maintaining composure under pressure. He also emphasized the team’s ability to grind out a result, highlighting the balance between flair and discipline.

Juventus head coach Igor Tudor acknowledged his squad's fatigue, attributing their second-half struggles to a combination of heat, humidity, and end-of-season exhaustion. He noted that nearly every player requested a substitution due to the physical toll of the match.

In Atlanta, Dortmund emerged victorious in a tightly contested match against Monterrey, played at the climate-controlled Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Guirassy struck twice in the first half, assisted both times by Karim Adeyemi, to give the German side a 2-0 lead. Monterrey pulled one back through Germán Berterame early in the second half and nearly equalized in stoppage time when Ramos, pushed forward in search of a goal, headed just wide.

Despite the win, Dortmund suffered a blow with Jobe Bellingham receiving a yellow card that rules him out of the quarterfinal, where he would have faced his brother, Jude Bellingham, now a star at Real Madrid. Head coach Niko Kovac was optimistic, stating that if his side maintains their level of performance, they stand a real chance against Madrid—who defeated them in the 2024 Champions League final.

Guirassy, who now has 37 goals across all competitions this season, acknowledged he missed a chance for a hat-trick but was pleased to contribute to the team’s progress. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was crucial in the second half, making a series of key saves to preserve the lead.

Although disappointed by the result, Ramos remained proud of his team’s efforts, saying the supporters recognized their fighting spirit. His near-miss in the dying seconds encapsulated Monterrey’s valiant push, but in the end, it is Real Madrid who will move forward to face Dortmund in the next stage.

Real Madrid Set Up Club World Cup Quarterfinal Against Dortmund

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