Real Madrid vs Dortmund: Kylian Mbappé’s late wonder goal lights up MetLife Stadium as Real Madrid overcomes a late scare to set up a thrilling semifinal clash with PSG.
On a hot Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, Real Madrid delivered a breathtaking finish to beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. Kylian Mbappé, returning from illness, stole the show with a stunning bicycle kick in stoppage time that sent fans into a frenzy and sealed the win for Los Blancos.
The match started fast. Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García scored just 10 minutes into the game. It was his fourth goal of the tournament. Fran García doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a clean finish. At that point, it looked like Madrid had full control.
With temperatures soaring to 86°F (30°C), both teams slowed down a bit, but Madrid kept the pressure. Dortmund struggled to break through. The first half ended 2-0 in Madrid’s favor, and fans expected a quiet second half.
But football always surprises us.
In the 67th minute, Kylian Mbappé entered the game. Coach Xabi Alonso had rested him due to recent illness, but the moment demanded his presence. His impact was instant, even if the goals didn’t come right away.
Then came stoppage time. Everything turned upside down. Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier pulled one back in the 90+3 minute. Suddenly, it was game on. But just one minute later, Mbappé responded with magic. A high cross flew into the box, and with perfect timing, he soared into the air and hit a bicycle kick that flew into the net. The crowd of 76,611 at MetLife Stadium exploded. It was the kind of goal that gets replayed for years.
Yet the drama didn’t end there.
Dean Huijsen fouled Serhou Guirassy in the box moments later. The referee pointed to the spot and gave Huijsen a red card. Guirassy stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty in the 98th minute. Madrid were down to 10 men and had just a one-goal lead.
On the game’s final play, Dortmund almost found the equalizer. Marcel Sabitzer’s powerful shot looked certain to go in, but Thibaut Courtois made a world-class save with just his fingertips. That save saved the game.
Madrid now look ahead to their semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain—Mbappé’s former club. It promises to be a thrilling battle between two of Europe’s giants. PSG earned their spot by defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 earlier on.
Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, speaking after the match, admitted the ending was stressful. “We were doing well, and the match was under control. But the last 10 minutes were crazy,” he said. “We lost focus a bit. Luckily, we held on. The first 80 minutes were good, and we’ll learn from the rest.”
Alonso also praised young Gonzalo García, who has stepped up in Mbappé’s absence. “He’s made the most of his chances. He’s scoring goals and helping the team,” said Alonso. García now shares the tournament’s top scorer spot with four goals.
Mbappé’s goal, though, will be the headline everywhere. He’s still not at full fitness, but moments like that prove why he’s one of the best in the world.
One emotional moment before the match was a moment of silence held for Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who sadly passed away in a car crash on Thursday. The football world continues to mourn their loss.
As for Dortmund, their tournament ends here. American midfielder Gio Reyna didn’t play in this match and finishes the tournament with just one appearance. Dortmund had hoped for more, especially after leading Madrid in past meetings, but this time, Mbappé had the final word.
The Club World Cup semifinals are now set. Real Madrid vs PSG on one side, and Chelsea vs Fluminense on the other. And with Mbappé in this kind of form, anything can happen.
