Mbappé’s Stunning Bicycle Kick Seals Real Madrid’s 3-2 Club World Cup Quarterfinal Victory Over Dortmund

Mbappé Magic: Bicycle Kick Stunner Sends Real Madrid Past Dortmund in Club World Cup Thriller

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY –– In a match that had everything – goals, drama, red cards, and pure artistry, Kylian Mbappé’s breathtaking bicycle kick in second-half stoppage time sealed Real Madrid’s pulsating 3-2 Club World Cup quarterfinal victory over Borussia Dortmund at a sun-soaked chaotic ending at MetLife Stadium on Saturday.

Match Essentials:

• Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Attendance: 76,611
• Temperature: 86°F (30°C) at 3 p.m. kickoff
• Competition: FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinals
• Result: Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund

Electric Atmosphere Under New Jersey Sun

The 76,611 fans packed into MetLife Stadium – the venue for next year’s World Cup final- witnessed one of the most dramatic Club World Cup encounters in recent memory. Under blazing afternoon sunshine with temperatures soaring to 86 degrees, the atmosphere was electric from the opening whistle.

Early Madrid Dominance

Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid started like a house on fire. Gonzalo García, the 21-year-old sensation who has been the tournament’s breakout star, opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Fran García doubled the advantage in the 20th minute. The young García, making just his sixth appearance after limited La Liga opportunities, has now netted four goals to tie for the tournament lead.

“We’ve seen him play in the last few games and today he did it again. He is making the most of this opportunity,” Alonso praised post-match. “I think that he is in the right place, right time, and we’re very happy with the work he’s doing — and he’s also scoring goals.”

Mbappé’s Moment of Magic

With Madrid seemingly cruising at 2-0, Alonso introduced Mbappé in the 67th minute for Jude Bellingham, who missed the chance to face his suspended brother Jobe. What followed was pure theater.

Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier struck three minutes into stoppage time, sending the German supporters into raptures and setting up a grandstand finish. But just one minute later, Mbappé produced a moment that will be replayed for years to come – an acrobatic bicycle kick that left the MetLife Stadium crowd gasping in disbelief.

Dramatic Finale

The drama wasn’t over. Serhou Guirassy converted from the penalty spot in the eighth minute of added time after being fouled by Dean Huijsen, who received a red card and will miss the semifinals. With seconds remaining, Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a fingertip save to deny Marcel Sabitzer’s potential equalizer on the game’s final play.

“We were doing really well and the match looked under control, but then in the last 10 minutes things got crazy,” admitted Alonso. “We have lost a little bit our focus and intensity when we didn’t have the ball, and luckily nothing else happened. But overall, we have had good 80 minutes and the last 10 minutes to improve.”

PSG Awaits in Semifinal Showdown

Real Madrid now face a tantalizing semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain – Mbappé’s former club – who defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 to secure their spot. The winners will face either Fluminense or Chelsea in the final.

Tournament Notes

American midfielder Gio Reyna remained on the bench for Dortmund, finishing the tournament with just one 13-minute appearance across five matches. The match began with a moment of silence for Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically died in a car crash on Thursday.

This victory continues Madrid’s dominance over Dortmund, having beaten them 2-0 in the 2024 Champions League final and overcoming a two-goal deficit for a 5-2 victory in this season’s league phase.