Borussia Dortmund has booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Monterrey at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The win came courtesy of two first-half goals from red-hot striker Serhou Guirassy, who continued his brilliant form to steer the German club into the next stage.
Monterrey mounted a spirited second-half comeback and nearly snatched a late equaliser through veteran defender Sergio Ramos, but Dortmund held their nerve to progress. Their reward? A blockbuster quarter-final clash against Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid this Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Early Dominance from Dortmund
Dortmund wasted no time asserting themselves, dominating possession from the outset and pinning Monterrey deep in their half. Their attacking intent soon paid off.
In the 14th minute, Guirassy combined neatly with Karim Adeyemi, bursting into the box and slotting the ball calmly past Monterrey keeper Esteban Andrada. It was the Guinean forward’s 36th goal of a remarkable season and his second of the tournament.
The Mexican side barely had time to regroup before Guirassy struck again. Just ten minutes after his opener, Dortmund sliced through Monterrey’s defence once more. Adeyemi, a constant menace on the wing, supplied a pinpoint pass, and Guirassy made no mistake, guiding the ball into the net to double Dortmund’s advantage.
Monterrey Show Their Grit
Despite falling behind early, Monterrey refused to give up. They gradually settled into the match and applied pressure on Dortmund’s defence, creating several decent opportunities.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 53rd minute. A looping ball into Dortmund’s penalty area caused confusion, and Germán Berterame pounced, nodding the ball home to bring Monterrey back into the contest.
With the momentum shifting, Monterrey continued to push forward. Jesús Corona came agonisingly close to equalising, forcing Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel into a smart save. Moments later, Monterrey thought they’d found the leveller, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside.
Dortmund, meanwhile, had chances to put the result beyond doubt. Guirassy missed a golden opportunity to complete his hat-trick and was later denied by an excellent stop from Andrada.
Ramos Almost Sparks Late Drama
As time ticked away, Monterrey turned to experience, pushing Sergio Ramos further up the pitch in search of an equaliser. The 39-year-old nearly delivered, rising highest in the box during stoppage time to meet a dangerous cross.
The crowd held their breath as Ramos’ header drifted just wide of the post, inches away from forcing extra time. Monterrey’s fans were left heartbroken, while Dortmund breathed a sigh of relief.
Despite the defeat, Ramos commended his team’s efforts. “We left it all out there. We showed heart and determination, but sometimes football can be cruel,” he said after the match.
Also Read: Carbonxt Increases Stake in Kentucky Plant Ahead of Production
Guirassy’s Red-Hot Form Rolls On
Guirassy’s double takes his season tally to an incredible 37 goals, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most in-form strikers. His clinical finishing and movement proved decisive yet again.
“We knew Monterrey would be tough to break down, but the team stayed focused,” Guirassy reflected post-match. “The second half wasn’t easy, but we held on, and now we look ahead to Madrid.”
With Jobe Bellingham receiving a yellow card against Monterrey, due to card accumulation he is OUT for BVB’s Club World Cup quarterfinal matchup against his brother Jude’s Real Madrid ❌ pic.twitter.com/XyaWhDzW7X
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 2, 2025
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac praised both his star striker and the team’s resilience. “Serhou keeps delivering when it matters. We controlled large parts of the game but had to dig deep at the end. That’s the kind of mental toughness you need in this tournament,” Kovac said.
All Eyes on Real Madrid Showdown
The victory sets up a thrilling quarter-final meeting with Real Madrid, who booked their place earlier with a win over Juventus. The clash has added spice with the Bellingham brothers on opposing sides.
Unfortunately for Dortmund, Jobe Bellingham will miss the match due to suspension after picking up a yellow card. His older brother, Jude Bellingham, is expected to line up for Madrid, having been instrumental in their success this season.
While the Spanish giants enter the fixture as favourites, Dortmund will take heart from their recent performances and Guirassy’s unstoppable form. The German club remains determined to chase their first-ever Club World Cup crown, but they know a formidable challenge lies ahead.
