Borussia Dortmund secured the final spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Mexico’s CF Monterrey, the former bronze medalists of the tournament. With the victory, the Bundesliga giants now set up a thrilling rematch with Real Madrid, a repeat of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final.
GiRassy Strikes Twice as Dortmund Take First-Half Control
Dortmund came out of the gates with purpose, dominating possession and creating chances from the start. Their front two, Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi, were electric throughout the opening half. In the 14th minute, Adeyemi broke down the flank and squared the ball for Guirassy, who made no mistake with a composed low finish to open the scoring.
Just ten minutes later, the duo linked up again. Adeyemi delivered another sharp assist, and Guirassy slotted home a clinical second to give Dortmund a 2-0 lead, a commanding position they held going into halftime.
Monterrey Fight Back as Dortmund Stumble in the Second Half
The second half was a stark contrast. Monterrey came out with renewed energy and instantly put Dortmund on the back foot. Only three minutes in, Berterame rose high to head home from a set piece, pulling one back for the Mexican side and swinging the momentum.
Dortmund’s defence wavered as Monterrey pushed forward with intent, creating several clear-cut chances. They even had a second goal ruled out for offside. With fatigue setting in, Dortmund manager Edin Terzić made multiple substitutions to stabilise the midfield and defence.
Despite late pressure from Monterrey, Dortmund held on to their slender lead, securing a 2-1 victory and punching their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Bellingham Brothers’ Showdown Called Off
The highly anticipated face-off between the Bellingham brothers is off the table, at least for now. Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham’s younger brother, Jobe Bellingham, picked up a second yellow card in the group stage and will be suspended for the upcoming clash against Real Madrid, where Jude continues to shine.
The brothers’ duel was expected to be one of the tournament’s emotional highlights, but Jobe’s absence will leave fans wondering what could have been.
Quarterfinals Set with Blockbuster Matchups
With the Round of 16 concluded, the Club World Cup quarterfinals feature a series of elite matchups. Dortmund’s rematch against Real Madrid is a clear headline grabber; their last meeting in the Champions League final saw Madrid win 2-0 to lift their 15th European title.
Other quarterfinal fixtures promise just as much drama:
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich – A clash of European titans, with the French champions meeting the Bundesliga powerhouse.
- Palmeiras vs Chelsea – South American flair meets Premier League precision in what should be an intense encounter.
- Fluminense vs Al Hilal – Two underdog sides that shocked the tournament by eliminating Inter Milan and defending champions Manchester City, respectively.
As the competition enters its decisive phase, all eyes are on who will rise above the rest and claim the ultimate club football crown.
