Borussia Dortmund secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup with a hard-fought 2–1 victory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Serhou Guirassy delivered a clinical first half, striking in the 14th and 24th minutes—his second goal assisted by Karim Adeyemi—securing a commanding halftime lead.
- Monterrey surged back early in the second half: German Berterame found the net within three minutes of the restart, setting up a tense finish.
- Despite mounting pressure—including a late Sergio Ramos header that rattled the post—Dortmund’s defense, with crucial saves from Gregor Kobel, held firm.
Key Takeaways
Defensive Resolve & Tactical Response
Dortmund’s backline showed resilience under sustained Monterrey pressure after the break. The introduction of impact subs like Sabitzer and Couto helped stabilize the game .
Guirassy’s Clinical Sharpness
Guirassy’s brace highlights his rising form—he nearly netted a hat-trick, showcasing his sharp finishing and threat inside the box.
Jobe Bellingham to Miss Next Game
Young midfielder Jobe Bellingham picked up his second yellow card of the competition in the 28th minute, triggering a one-match suspension. That means he’ll sit out the exciting quarter-final against Real Madrid, missing a possible face-off with brother Jude.
What’s Next: Quarter-final vs Real Madrid
Dortmund’s reward for surviving Monterrey is a blockbuster quarter-final showdown against Real Madrid, scheduled for Saturday in New Jersey.
- Without Jobe, Dortmund will need to adjust their midfield tactics—coach Niko Kovac may lean on Pascal Groß, Marcel Sabitzer, or Felix Nmecha to maintain cohesion.
- Real Madrid will likely field Jude Bellingham, making it a clash of siblings and adding emotional weight to the tie.
Fan Reaction & Analysis
From Reddit, fans praised Dortmund’s early dominance and durability under pressure:
“First half we should have sent Monterrey packing… it looked like the legs were just gone [in the second]”.
Despite some criticism over a slower second-half performance, most agree Dortmund did enough when it mattered. Their substitutions around the 70-minute mark were credited with breaking Monterrey’s momentum..
Final Thoughts
- Guirassy’s lethal finishing and Dortmund’s second-half composure proved decisive.
- The Jobe vs. Jude Bellingham narrative, although postponed, adds further intrigue to the tournament.
- Next up: an electrifying Real Madrid clash—a pivotal test of Dortmund’s title credentials.
