Real Madrid Edge Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in Club World Cup Thriller
In a dramatic quarter-final clash at the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Miami. The match, attended by a packed crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium, served as a preview of what football fans can expect from the expanded tournament format. For tournament partners like Changi77, the result reaffirmed the global pull of legacy clubs and the rising importance of strategic depth in midsummer international competition.
This was no friendly. Madrid and Dortmund approached the game with clear intent: to win. Both teams fielded near full-strength lineups, with Carlo Ancelotti and Niko Kovač choosing not to rotate heavily, indicating just how seriously the Club World Cup is now being taken.
First Half: Dortmund Dictate, Madrid Stay Patient
Borussia Dortmund made a blistering start. Within ten minutes, they had pressed Madrid into two errors and were rewarded in the 12th minute when Julian Brandt found the net from the edge of the box. His low strike, curling away from Courtois, was the product of a sweeping team move starting deep in Dortmund’s half.
Madrid, uncharacteristically passive in the opening stages, struggled to impose their rhythm. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni were overrun by the energetic Jude Bellingham—ironically, now donning the yellow shirt of Dortmund again after a surprise loan return from Madrid in January. The English midfielder’s pressing unsettled his former teammates, and in the 25th minute, he nearly made it 2-0, but his close-range effort was blocked by Antonio Rüdiger.
Dortmund eventually doubled their lead in the 31st minute. A defensive mix-up between Dani Carvajal and Militao gifted possession to Karim Adeyemi, who calmly slotted past Courtois. At that point, Madrid looked rattled—two goals down and struggling for composure.
But Real Madrid are never more dangerous than when wounded.
The Comeback Begins: Madrid Respond
The tide began to turn in the final ten minutes of the first half. Vinícius Jr. came alive on the left flank, constantly drawing fouls and creating chaos in the Dortmund defense. In the 43rd minute, he earned a free kick just outside the box. Toni Kroos delivered a pinpoint ball that was met by Rüdiger, who headed home to make it 2-1.
That goal changed everything. Madrid entered halftime with belief and momentum, and the second half showcased the Spanish club’s pedigree in knockout football.
Ancelotti brought on Kylian Mbappé in the 55th minute—his introduction immediately lifted Madrid’s tempo. The French star, making only his second appearance since joining from PSG, drew double marking but still managed to thread through a clever pass to Rodrygo in the 64th minute. The Brazilian’s attempt was parried away by Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel, but the message was clear: Madrid were coming.
The equalizer came in the 72nd minute from a surprising source: Ferland Mendy. The left-back, known more for his defensive diligence than attacking flair, picked up a loose ball just outside the box and unleashed a curling left-footed shot that beat Kobel at the far post. It was Mendy’s first goal in two years and couldn’t have come at a better time.
Mbappé’s Moment of Brilliance
With the game tied and tension mounting, Madrid did what they’ve done so often in high-stakes moments—they produced a moment of brilliance.
In stoppage time, with Dortmund dropping deeper and seemingly playing for penalties, Mbappé received a long ball from Courtois on the halfway line. He controlled it with his chest, flicked it over Nico Schlotterbeck, and struck a stunning bicycle kick from just inside the box. The stadium erupted. It was a goal worthy of any final, and it sealed Real Madrid’s comeback win.
3-2. Game over.
Tactical Takeaways
Real Madrid’s ability to adapt mid-game remains unmatched. Ancelotti’s decision to introduce Mbappé and Modrić shifted the game’s tempo entirely. The combination of youth and experience, pace and patience, overwhelmed Dortmund in the second half.
Dortmund, meanwhile, will regret their inability to manage the game after going two goals up. The decision to sit deeper in the second half invited pressure, and their substitutions lacked the punch needed to reassert control. Bellingham’s individual brilliance couldn’t make up for a midfield that grew passive as Madrid surged.
Player of the Match: Kylian Mbappé
Despite playing just over 35 minutes, Mbappé was the difference-maker. His match-winning strike not only demonstrated his technical brilliance but also confirmed that he is ready to lead Madrid’s next era.
Ancelotti praised him post-match: “We’ve seen what he can do in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, but tonight he showed he can do it in the white shirt too. That’s a special goal, and we needed it.”
What’s Next?
Real Madrid advance to face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final. With Mbappé now at Madrid and Dembélé firing for PSG, the fixture has both narrative and technical intrigue.
For Dortmund, the focus will shift to preparing for the Bundesliga restart and addressing a few lingering issues: game management, defensive decision-making, and squad depth.
Final Thoughts
This game served as a reminder of what makes the Club World Cup’s new format so intriguing—elite teams, real stakes, and unpredictable drama. Real Madrid once again showed their knack for surviving pressure and finding goals when it matters most. Dortmund will rue their missed opportunity, but they depart with credit for their style and intensity.
As for the rest of the tournament, if this match was anything to go by, fans are in for a compelling final stretch.
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