The Digest:
In a pulsating Global Football Epic at the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in their quarter-final encounter at MetLife Stadium. The match, filled with late drama, saw Kylian Mbappé score a spectacular acrobatic volley to ensure Real Madrid's triumph despite finishing the game with ten men. This hard-fought win sets up a highly anticipated semi-final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.
Key Points:
- Real Madrid took an early lead with goals from Gonzalo Garcia in the 10th minute and Fran Garcia in the 20th minute, seemingly cruising towards victory.
- The game exploded with late drama in added time: Maximilian Beier pulled one back for Dortmund, but Mbappé, coming off the bench, responded swiftly with a sensational bicycle kick to restore Real's two-goal cushion.
- Dortmund was awarded a penalty after Dean Huijsen brought down Serhou Guirassy, leading to a straight red card for Huijsen and a successful penalty conversion by Guirassy, making the score 3-2.
- Despite being reduced to ten men, Real Madrid held on, thanks in part to a crucial last-minute save by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who expertly denied Dortmund a potential equalizer.
- Real Madrid will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final on Wednesday, July 9, at the MetLife Stadium. PSG earlier defeated Bayern Munich 2-0, despite also finishing their match with nine players.
Sources: The Cable , Al Jazeera / AP News
