Borussia Dortmund survived a second-half resurgence from Monterrey, securing a 2-1 victory and a place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Real Madrid. Serhou Guirassy's first-half brace proved decisive for the Bundesliga side, who had to withstand significant pressure from the Mexican team after the break.
The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, saw Dortmund take control early on. Guirassy, in outstanding form, scored in the 14th and 24th minutes, putting Dortmund ahead. He exchanged quick passes with Karim Adeyemi before slotting a neat finish into the near post for his first goal. His second came ten minutes later, further cementing Dortmund's dominance. Guirassy's two goals against Monterrey mean that he now leads the tournament in scoring.
Monterrey, however, displayed resilience in the second half. German Berterame scored in the 48th minute, reigniting the Mexican side's hopes. Berterame reacted quickly to a rebound, heading home from close range. Monterrey then mounted a sustained offensive, searching for an equaliser. Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos almost leveled the score late in the game, but his header went wide. Another goal by Berterame was disallowed for offside.
Dortmund's coach, Niko Kovac, acknowledged the match's intensity, saying it was a tough game against a good team. He praised his team's first-half performance but admitted the second half was more challenging. Despite Monterrey's pressure, Dortmund's defence held firm, securing the win. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made crucial saves, denying Monterrey's Jesus Corona on several occasions.
The victory means Dortmund will now face Real Madrid in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash at MetLife Stadium in New York on July 5. This match marks a reunion of sorts, as Dortmund and Real Madrid clashed in the 2024 Champions League final. Real Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Juventus. Gonzalo Garcia scored the only goal in that match.
However, Dortmund will be without Jobe Bellingham for the quarter-final due to suspension. He received a yellow card against Monterrey, which triggered a suspension due to card accumulation. This prevents a potential on-field clash between Jobe and his brother Jude Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid.
Looking ahead, a victory against Real Madrid would secure Dortmund a place in the semi-finals, potentially against Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain. Other quarter-final matches include Fluminense vs Al Hilal in Orlando, and Palmeiras vs Chelsea in Philadelphia.
Dortmund's progress in the Club World Cup has already earned the club a significant financial windfall. They have earned $52.325 million from the tournament so far. This revenue could be used to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window.
