Club World Cup: Real Madrid and Dortmund replay the 2024 Champions League final

In a thrilling quarterfinal match of the 2025 Club World Cup, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund face off this Saturday, July 5, at 5:00 PM (Brasília time), at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States. The game, a rematch of the 2023/24 Champions League final, promises excitement with live broadcasts on Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, and DAZN. Under Xabi Alonso’s leadership, Real Madrid aim to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament, while Borussia Dortmund, led by Serhou Guirassy, look to pull off an upset. Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel will officiate, and the winner will face either PSG or Bayern Munich in the semifinals.

The clash carries the weight of a recent rivalry, marked by intense encounters in European competitions. Real Madrid, who defeated Juventus in the round of 16 with a goal from young Gonzalo García, rely on their attacking strength despite key absences. Meanwhile, Dortmund, after a hard-fought win against Monterrey, trust their star striker to advance.

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• Match highlights:
• Rematch of the 2023/24 Champions League final, won by Real Madrid.
• Kylian Mbappé’s debut as a starter in the Club World Cup, post-recovery.
• Serhou Guirassy, with three goals in the tournament, is Dortmund’s key weapon.

The expectation is for a balanced game, with both teams aiming to impose their attacking styles in a stadium set to host the 2026 World Cup final.

🤍 LOS DÍAS QUE TÚ JUEGAS… pic.twitter.com/EKwa9a9qiW

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 5, 2025

History of intense clashes

Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have delivered memorable battles, particularly in the Champions League. In 16 official meetings, the Spanish side won eight, the Germans triumphed in three, and five matches ended in draws. The most recent, in October 2024, during the Champions League group stage, saw Real Madrid stage a stunning 5-2 comeback, with a hat-trick from Vinícius Júnior.

In the 2024 final at Wembley, Real Madrid claimed their 15th European title with goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior, in a match where Dortmund dominated the first half but failed to capitalize. This history gives the Merengues a psychological edge, but Dortmund arrive hungry for revenge.

The Club World Cup clash is their first outside a European context, adding an element of unpredictability. The MetLife Stadium, with a capacity of over 80,000 fans, heightens the grandeur of the encounter.

Performance in the Club World Cup

Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals with a solid campaign, though their start was not overwhelming. After a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in their opener, they secured victories over Pachuca (3-1), RB Salzburg (3-0), and Juventus (1-0). Young Gonzalo García, aged 20, has been a pleasant surprise, scoring three goals in the tournament and stepping up amid Kylian Mbappé’s temporary absence.

Borussia Dortmund, however, had a rockier path. In the group stage, they drew 0-0 with Fluminense, edged Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in a dramatic match, and defeated Ulsan Hyundai 1-0. In the round of 16, they struggled against Monterrey but advanced with a 2-1 win, thanks to two goals from Serhou Guirassy.

• Tournament stats:
• Real Madrid: 3 wins, 1 draw, 8 goals scored, 2 conceded.
• Borussia Dortmund: 3 wins, 1 draw, 7 goals scored, 5 conceded.
• Top scorers: Gonzalo García (Real Madrid, 3 goals); Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund, 3 goals).

Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid’s new era

Since taking over Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso has worked to implement his philosophy of quick transitions and defensive solidity. The absence of players like Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy, all injured, forced the coach to rely on youngsters like Gonzalo García and Dean Huijsen, who have risen to the occasion.

Kylian Mbappé’s return, fully recovered from gastroenteritis, is a major boost. The Frenchman, who came off the bench against Juventus, is expected to start, forming a formidable attack alongside Vinícius Júnior. The duo will challenge Dortmund’s defense, which will miss Nico Schlotterbeck due to injury.

In a press conference, Alonso emphasized the need for focus against such a dangerous opponent. He praised Dortmund’s ability to exploit counterattacks and called for special attention to Guirassy, the Germans’ main attacking threat.

Dortmund and Guirassy’s firepower

Led by Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund rely on speed and efficiency in attack to upset Real Madrid. Serhou Guirassy, with three goals in the Club World Cup, is the standout. The Guinean striker, who scored twice against Monterrey, leads the team’s stats with 17 shots in the tournament, showcasing his constant threat in the box.

Without Jobe Bellingham, suspended after a yellow card against Monterrey, Kovac is likely to field Marcel Sabitzer in midfield, with Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt completing the attacking setup. The absence of Emre Can and Salih Ozcan, both injured, limits midfield options, but the coach trusts the versatility of Felix Nmecha and Pascal Gross.

Broadcast details and access

The match will be widely accessible to Brazilian fans. Globo will air it on free-to-air TV, while SporTV broadcasts on cable. CazéTV, available for free on YouTube and via Disney+ for subscribers, is an online option. DAZN, a streaming platform, rounds out the choices, offering global coverage.

• Broadcast channels and platforms:
• Globo: Free-to-air TV, available nationwide in Brazil.
• SporTV: Cable TV, with exclusive commentary.
• CazéTV: Free on YouTube and via Disney+.
• DAZN: Paid streaming, with a free trial option.

The availability across multiple platforms reflects the global interest in the matchup, featuring two of football’s most popular clubs.

Brazilian refereeing in charge

The match will be officiated by Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel, assisted by compatriots Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis and Rafael da Silva Alves. Chile’s Cristián Garay will serve as the fourth official, while Colombia’s Nicolas Gallo will lead the VAR, supported by Mexico’s Guillermo Pacheco. The Brazilian trio underscores FIFA’s trust in South American officials for high-stakes games.

Abatti Abel is known for his firm yet balanced approach in Brazilian Championship and international matches. His selection suggests expectations of a competitive game with potential flashpoints.

What’s at stake

The winner will advance to face either PSG or Bayern Munich in the semifinals, on a challenging path to the Club World Cup final. For Real Madrid, the tournament is a chance to cement their global dominance, while Dortmund aim for their first world title since 1997, when they defeated Cruzeiro in the former Intercontinental Cup.

The rivalry between the two clubs, combined with the talent of players like Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, and Guirassy, ensures a high-level spectacle. The MetLife Stadium, which hosted the Copa América final, will stage another chapter in this saga.

Match curiosities

The game has elements beyond the pitch. Jobe Bellingham’s absence prevents the anticipated showdown between the Bellingham brothers, as Jude, a Real Madrid regular, starts. Additionally, the match marks Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first start in a knockout stage for Real Madrid, following his transfer from Liverpool.

• Historical facts:
• Real Madrid have won their last four matches against Dortmund.
• Dortmund haven’t beaten Real Madrid since 2014, in the Champions League.
• The 2025 Club World Cup is the first with an expanded 32-team format.

Fan expectations

On social media, the match has sparked significant buzz. Real Madrid fans highlight their squad’s strength, despite absences, while Dortmund supporters trust Guirassy to lead a historic upset. The intensified rivalry from recent clashes adds to the excitement.

The MetLife Stadium is expected to draw a large crowd, with fans of both clubs traveling to the U.S. The atmosphere promises to rival a final, despite being a quarterfinal.