Real Madrid eliminates Borussia Dortmund from FIFA Club World Cup

In the United States, Real Madrid faced Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup on July 5, 2025, held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match ended decisively with Real Madrid defeating Dortmund, marking their continuing dominance over the Bundesliga club. Gonzalo García, who had a remarkable tournament, opened the scoring early in the match, followed by Fran García doubling the lead within ten minutes, leaving Dortmund reeling and struggling to respond throughout the game. Dortmund entered this match after having performed reasonably well in the tournament but faced their first serious challenge against Real Madrid, a prominent contender and historically successful team. Before this encounter, Borussia Dortmund had successfully dispatched teams Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns, Ulsan, and Monterrey. In contrast, Real Madrid won against Juventus in the last 16 and was looking to extend their impressive run, having not lost to Dortmund in their previous six meetings. In this context, both teams carried distinct pressures and expectations, with Real Madrid motivated to seize a trophy under new coach Xabi Alonso. The match was characterized by Real Madrid's tactical superiority and clinical finishing. They showcased their attacking prowess, highlighted by Kylian Mbappé's role, who came off the bench to score a critical goal that sealed their victory. Dortmund's attack proved ineffective, managing an xG of just 0.27, illustrating their inability to break down Real Madrid's organized defense. The lack of a potent response from Dortmund meant that despite earlier success in the tournament, their shortcomings were brutally exposed by a more clinical Madrid side. Ultimately, as the match progressed, it became evident that Real Madrid's tactics and squad depth were simply too much for Dortmund to manage. Financially, the tournament was profitable for Dortmund, who had earned $52.3 million prior to their exit, but the loss in the quarterfinals denied them an additional $21.3 million and a chance for further progression that could have bolstered their finances. This defeat highlighted the gap between Dortmund and Europe’s elite teams. The financial success they experienced might encourage management to reconsider their strategies moving forward, as they explore avenues to close the gap with Bundesliga rivals like Bayern Munich. German fans and football analysts will likely see this exit as a clarion call for restructuring and reinforcement as they strive to reclaim a competitive edge. Overall, this game against Real Madrid exposed Dortmund's lack of depth and quality in high-pressure situations compared to their more illustrious counterparts. The match's outcome serves as a benchmark for Dortmund to gauge their progress and examine their squad's capabilities as they look to enhance their prospects in the future.