Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund: Los Blancos Holds Off Dortmund in Five-Goal Thriller (3-2)

MetLife Stadium, New Jersey – In a FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final that delivered a dramatic twist in its dying moments, Real Madrid emerged victorious against Borussia Dortmund, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win. The Spanish giants showcased their tactical discipline and attacking prowess in a dominant first half, leveraging a precise man-marking scheme that stifled Dortmund’s build-up. However, they were rattled by a sensational Dortmund comeback in stoppage time, which tested their resolve to the limit. Real Madrid’s composure, coupled with individual brilliance and a touch of late game heroics, ultimately saw them through to a tantalizing semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

Tactical analysis and match report by Aderemi Qoyum.

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This quarter-final was billed as a heavyweight encounter between two European powerhouses, attracting a near-capacity crowd to MetLife Stadium. Real Madrid, fresh off a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Round of 16, came in with momentum and their customary aura of invincibility. Under the shrewd guidance of Xabi Alonso, they had maintained their reputation for clinical efficiency and big-game temperament, rarely faltering on the grandest stages.

For Real Madrid, progression was not just expected but demanded, especially with the enticing prospect of a semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, a fixture that would pit them against their former talisman, Kylian Mbappé. The stakes were undeniably high, with a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals signifying global footballing prestige.

Borussia Dortmund, having overcome CF Monterrey 2-1 in their previous fixture through a display of clinical counter-attacking, entered as clear underdogs but with a growing confidence forged from their recent unbeaten run under Niko Kovac. Despite the significant absence of the suspended Jobe Bellingham, a key creative force in their midfield, Dortmund aimed to leverage their attacking dynamism and resilient team spirit to challenge the reigning champions of Europe. This match promised a captivating tactical battle: Real Madrid’s experience, positional play, and individual quality against Dortmund’s youthful exuberance, pressing intensity, and swift transitions. From the opening whistle, it was clear that both sides were prepared for an uncompromising contest.

Detailed starting XIs and tactical blueprints

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid deployed a 4-4-2 diamond formation, looking to assert control in midfield and provide attacking impetus through central channels while offering width from their full-backs.

Thibaut Courtois commanded the goal, shielded by a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen as the central defensive pairing, and Fran García at left-back. This defensive line provided a solid foundation, allowing the midfield to operate with greater freedom. The midfield diamond featured Aurélien Tchouaméni as the deepest defensive midfielder, tasked with breaking up play and initiating attacks from deep. Federico Valverde positioned on the right of the diamond and Arda Güler on the left provided relentless energy, ball progression, and incisive passing. Jude Bellingham operated as the attacking midfielder at the tip of the diamond, looking to link play and exploit spaces behind Dortmund’s midfield.

Upfront, the partnership of Gonzalo García and Vinícius Júnior spearheaded the attack, their pace and movement designed to stretch Dortmund’s back three. Notably, Kylian Mbappé started on the bench due to a recent minor illness, offering a potent option for the later stages. This setup aimed for possession dominance, fluid attacking movements, and aggressive pressing when out of possession.

Real Madrid’s passmap and average position shows the 4-4-2 diamond shape with Guler being the main man in midfield.

Niko Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund opted for their customary 3-4-1-2 formation, focusing on defensive stability, denying Real Madrid central access, and launching quick transitions. Gregor Kobel was in goal, protected by a back three of Niklas Süle, Waldemar Anton, and Ramy Bensebaini. This defensive trio was crucial in absorbing Real Madrid’s attacks. The wing-backs were Julian Ryerson on the right and Dennis Svensson on the left, tasked with providing both width in attack and defensive cover against Real’s full-backs.

The central midfield pairing consisted of the experienced Pascal Groß and Marcel Sabitzer (stepping in for the benched Felix Nmecha), aiming to disrupt Real Madrid’s rhythm and win second balls. Further forward, Julian Brandt (replacing the suspended Jobe Bellingham) played as the central attacking midfielder, providing creativity and linking up with the two strikers, Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi. Dortmund’s strategy was clearly to absorb pressure in a compact 5-3-2 defensive block and then strike swiftly on the break, leveraging the pace of Adeyemi and the finishing prowess of Guirassy.

Real Madrid’s clinical start and tactical masterclass

The atmosphere at MetLife Stadium was electric, with a significant Real Madrid presence in the stands creating a vibrant, expectant backdrop. From the opening whistle, Real Madrid quickly seized control, dictating the tempo with crisp passing and an aggressive, synchronized press. Their early dominance was a direct result of their astute tactical setup against Dortmund’s progression phase. 

Real Madrid’s early dominance paid dividends in the 10th minute when Gonzalo García opened the scoring. An exquisite, curling cross from the left flank by Arda Güler found García perfectly, who had made a clever run between defenders. With a clinical finish, he slotted home his fourth goal of the tournament past an outstretched Gregor Kobel, showcasing his burgeoning talent.

Just ten minutes later, Real Madrid doubled their lead, a testament to their fluid attacking play and the high and wide positioning of their full-backs. Fran García and Trent Alexander-Arnold pushed high up the flanks, providing essential width. Often, Valverde and Alexander-Arnold would switch positions in attack, creating unpredictability and pulling Dortmund’s defenders out of position. Jude Bellingham was instrumental in creating overloads on the ball side, drawing defenders and opening up space for others. A flowing move saw Trent Alexander-Arnold deliver an inviting low cutback from the right, which Fran García, having surged forward from left-back, met with a first-time sweep that bypassed a flat-footed Julian Ryerson and nestled into the net. Real Madrid looked utterly comfortable, stifling Dortmund’s attempts to build play and forcing them to chase shadows.

Real Madrid’s typical progression shape in the 8th minute against Dortmund’s compact 5-3-2 defensive block. It highlights the high and wide positions of Alexander-Arnold and Fran García, Jude Bellingham creating overloads, and either Arda Güler or Aurélien Tchouaméni operating as the deep-lying playmaker, dictating tempo from midfield.

Minute 8′ Real Madrid’s first half progression vs. Dortmund’s 5-3-2 defensive block shape.

Even after taking an early two-goal lead, Real Madrid maintained their high-intensity, man-to-man press. Their objective was clear: force Dortmund’s build-up play into predictable areas and win the ball back quickly. They consistently looked to force Borussia Dortmund’s play towards their right flank (Real Madrid’s left), where Fran García relentlessly pressed Ramy Bensebaini and Federico Valverde closed down Dennis Svensson. This coordinated pressure often forced Bensebaini into hurried, long kicks out of defense, which were frequently intercepted by the ever-alert Aurélien Tchouaméni in the central midfield, allowing Real Madrid to launch immediate counter-attacks or recycle possession.

Minute 12′ Real Madrid’s high press vs. Dortmund’s build-up, with Tchouameni well positioned to intercept Bensebaini’s line breaking passes and Valverde pressing Svensson if he receives.

Dortmund did manage to create a few moments of danger, with Julian Brandt flashing a header wide, but they largely struggled to penetrate Real’s well-organized defense and overcome the suffocating midfield press. Real Madrid finished the first half with 42% possession, but more importantly, a clear advantage in shots on target (4 to 1) and big chances created, showcasing their control and devastating efficiency.

Dortmund, despite some spirited individual efforts, found themselves trailing by two goals at the break, their counter-attacking game largely nullified by Real Madrid’s tight defensive shape and aggressive pressing.

A late Dortmund surge and Madrid’s resilience

The second half began with Dortmund showing slightly more intent, their tactical adjustments evident as they tried to find routes through Real Madrid’s lines. For much of the second period, Real Madrid appeared comfortable, managing the game effectively with their two-goal cushion. Their defensive shape often settled into a 5-2-3 mid-block when out of possession, designed to absorb pressure and maintain compactness.

Real Madrid’s mid-block was largely man-to-man, especially in midfield. Aurélien Tchouaméni was glued to Julian Brandt, Arda Güler shadowed Pascal Groß, and Jude Bellingham effectively used his cover shadow to cut off passing lanes to Marcel Sabitzer while simultaneously pressing Waldemar Anton in Dortmund’s back three. On the flanks, Federico Valverde and Trent Alexander-Arnold engaged either Karim Adeyemi or Dennis Svensson depending on who held the wide position, while Fran Garcia did the same on his side, marking Julian Ryerson or whichever Dortmund attacker drifted wide. In the defensive line. Further up, Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García were tasked with pressing Niklas Süle and Ramy Bensebaini, forcing Dortmund’s build-up wide or into difficult situations.

Minute 54′ Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2-5/3-1-6 progression shape showing their attempts to push numbers forward against Real Madrid’s relaxed 5-2-3 mid-block, which reflects Real’s comfort with the 2-0 lead.

Either of Valverde, Guler or Tchouameni could make it a back five depending on the positions of the BVB players. Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger focused on Serhou Guirassy, who often dropped deep to receive the ball, as evidenced by his lower average position. Brandt was given the licence to roam from left to right, creating numerical superiority wherever he could. 

Coach Xabi Alonso, ever the pragmatist, made crucial substitutions with an eye on the upcoming semi-final. In the 67th minute, Kylian Mbappé was introduced for Vinícius Júnior, and shortly after, Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric came on for Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold, respectively. These changes were strategic: Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, both carrying a yellow card each from previous games, were withdrawn to mitigate the risk of receiving another booking that would rule them out of the crucial semi-final. As explained in the official rules for the Club world Cup, any player that picks up two yellow cards during the competition will receive a one-game suspension for their side’s next match.

Ceballos and Modric were brought on to inject more control and experience into the midfield, aiming to further stifle Dortmund’s attacking ambitions and retain possession. However, Mbappé’s introduction immediately caused more threat with his electrifying movements and dazzling skills, even before his late goal.

However, the final moments of the match descended into chaos, defying Madrid’s comfortable lead. In the 93rd minute, Maximilian Beier, who had been brought on as a substitute, pounced on a loose Rudiger clearance just outside the box, firing in a shot that pulled a goal back for Dortmund and ignited a dramatic late surge. The Dortmund bench and fans erupted, sensing an improbable comeback.

Just a minute later, in the 94th minute, Kylian Mbappé produced a moment of individual brilliance that momentarily calmed Real Madrid’s nerves. From a high cross, the French forward unleashed a spectacular overhead kick that found the back of the net, restoring Real Madrid’s two-goal cushion and seemingly sealing the victory with an audacious piece of skill that left everyone in awe.

The drama, however, wasn’t over. In the 96th minute, Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen was shown a straight red card for bringing down Serhou Guirassy inside the penalty box, a rash challenge that gifted Dortmund a lifeline. Serhou Guirassy calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 98th minute, sending Courtois the wrong way and making it 3-2. This set up a truly nail-biting final minute as Dortmund threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. The German side pressed relentlessly, and in the very last play of the game, Marcel Sabitzer unleashed a powerful shot towards goal from the edge of the area. The strike seemed destined for the back of the net, only to be miraculously tipped away by the outstretched fingertips of Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, a game-saving stop that secured the victory for Los Blancos amidst a collective sigh of relief from the Real Madrid faithful.

Dortmund’s tactical tweaks in the second half, coupled with a renewed attacking impetus, saw them create more chances and dominate possession in the latter stages. Their 3-2-5 progression shape provided more attacking options and stretched Real Madrid’s lines. However, Real Madrid, despite the late scare and playing with a numerical disadvantage, showed their championship pedigree, relying on individual brilliance, the tactical acumen of Xabi Alonso, and Courtois’ heroics to weather the storm and secure their passage.

Takeaways

 Man of the Match: Fran García (Real Madrid)

While Kylian Mbappé’s spectacular late goal undoubtedly grabbed headlines, the true architect of Real Madrid’s crucial early advantage and a tireless force throughout the match was Fran García. The energetic left-back not only scored Real Madrid’s pivotal second goal with a well-taken finish, but his constant, intelligent overlapping runs provided a vital attacking outlet on the left flank, consistently putting Dortmund under pressure and creating space for his teammates. Defensively, he was diligent in his duties, showcasing a crucial blend of offensive flair and defensive solidity that was essential in a game where Real Madrid’s formation relied heavily on the work rate and positioning of its full-backs. His relentless energy, disciplined positioning, and unwavering commitment across the entire 90 minutes were exemplary, earning him the deserved Superior Player of the Match award.

Another top player who could have been awarded the Player of the Match award was Arda Guler. Guler was at the heart of everything for Real Madrid, ending the game with two assists, 65/68 completed passes (96% accuracy), two tackles won and two ground duels won.

Real Madrid now marches on to face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be an epic semi-final clash. While their first-half performance against Dortmund was commanding and tactically brilliant, Xabi Alonso will undoubtedly address the late lapse in concentration and defensive vulnerability that allowed Dortmund back into the game. A more sustained and controlled performance across 90 minutes will be absolutely essential against a formidable PSG side, who possess their own array of attacking talent.

For Borussia Dortmund, the defeat will be painful, particularly after such a spirited and dramatic comeback attempt. However, their second-half performance, especially in the face of a two-goal deficit against a team of Real Madrid’s caliber, offers immense encouragement. Despite the absence of the suspended Jobe Bellingham, their resilience and ability to adapt tactically showed promising signs for the future. The emotional sub-plot of the Bellingham brothers facing each other was sadly missed due to Jobe’s suspension.

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