Borussia Dortmund's unexpected journey to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals is being viewed as a welcome surprise, a "bonus" for a team that many believe has overachieved. After a shaky start to the season and an inconsistent run in the Bundesliga, Dortmund's performance in the Champions League and now the Club World Cup has defied expectations.
Dortmund secured their spot in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Monterrey in the Club World Cup Round of 16. Serhou Guirassy, who also finished as joint-top scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season, proved to be the difference-maker, scoring twice in the first half. Despite a tense second half where Monterrey pulled a goal back and had another disallowed, Dortmund held on to secure the win.
Their progress in the tournament sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. This will be the third meeting between the two sides in just over a year. Most recently, Real Madrid defeated Dortmund 5-2 in the 2024-25 Champions League league phase. Prior to that, Real Madrid triumphed over Dortmund at Wembley Stadium to lift their 15th Champions League title. There have been 16 all-time meetings between Real Madrid and Dortmund in the Champions League, with Real Madrid securing victories in eight of those matches.
Dortmund will have to face Real Madrid without Jobe Bellingham who is suspended for the quarter-final due to yellow-card accumulation.
Despite the challenges, Dortmund's coach is likely to emphasize the opportunity for his team to test themselves against the best. The match against Real Madrid offers a platform for Dortmund's young talents to showcase their abilities on the global stage. While the prospect of facing the Spanish giants might seem daunting, it's also a chance for Dortmund to demonstrate their progress and potentially cause an upset.
Dortmund's history in European competition includes a Champions League title in 1997 and a runner-up finish in 2013 and 2024. They also won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1966 and the Intercontinental Cup in 1997. In the 2010s, Dortmund cultivated a reputation for spotting and developing young talent.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, enters the Club World Cup quarter-finals after a 1-0 victory over Juventus. Gonzalo García's goal secured the win for the La Liga runners-up, who have been in impressive form, extending their unbeaten streak under Xabi Alonso.
