A stunning bicycle kick from Kylian Mbappé propelled Real Madrid to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup on Saturday. The French star, who had missed the group stage due to gastroenteritis, made a dramatic return by acrobatically converting Arda Güler’s cross, securing a two-goal lead for Los Blancos in second-half stoppage time.
Mbappé’s spectacular strike followed earlier goals by Gonzalo García and Fran García, who each converted crosses from Güler and Trent Alexander-Arnold, respectively, putting Madrid ahead by two goals within the first 20 minutes. Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier managed to halve the deficit in the 92nd minute, but Mbappé quickly restored Madrid’s two-goal advantage. His celebration, a tribute to the late Diogo Jota, added an emotional layer to the match.
Late Drama at MetLife Stadium
The drama intensified as Carney Chukwuemeka set up Serhou Guirassy, who was fouled by Dean Huijsen in the penalty area. Huijsen received a red card, and Guirassy converted the penalty, putting Dortmund back in contention. The comeback was nearly complete when Marcel Sabitzer’s 99th-minute shot was impressively saved by Thibaut Courtois, much to the delight of the 76,611 fans at MetLife Stadium.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso commented on the chaotic conclusion, stating, “It’s football. The truth is that up until the 80th minute, up until 2-1, we controlled the game quite well.” He acknowledged the flurry of events but expressed satisfaction with reaching the semifinals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and connection on the field.
Real Madrid to Face Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid’s opponent in the semifinal will be European champion Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 earlier on Saturday. Désiré Doué opened the scoring for PSG, with a left-foot shot that beat Manuel Neuer. Despite red cards for Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, PSG secured their victory with Achraf Hakimi assisting Ousmane Dembélé in the 96th minute.
The match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, who collided with Gianluigi Donnarumma and suffered a severe ankle injury. Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany expressed his frustration and concern, highlighting Musiala’s passion for the game and the impact of the injury on the team.
Implications for the Club World Cup
Despite the excitement surrounding the matches, there appears to be waning interest in the competition’s other semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense. Ticket prices for the game have dropped significantly, reflecting a broader challenge for FIFA in maintaining fan engagement. The organization has implemented a dynamic pricing system, previously reducing prices for other matches to boost attendance.
The Club World Cup continues to be a platform for showcasing top-tier football talent, yet it faces challenges in capturing the global audience’s attention. As Real Madrid prepares to face PSG, the spotlight remains on the players’ performances and the potential for more dramatic moments on the field.
Looking ahead, the semifinals promise to deliver high-stakes action, with Real Madrid aiming to capitalize on their momentum and PSG seeking to assert their dominance. The outcomes could shape the narrative of this year’s Club World Cup, offering insights into the evolving dynamics of international club football.
