In a thrilling round-of-16 match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund defeated 2-1 Monterrey to complete the Club World Cup quarterfinal lineup. The victory came after Monterrey mounted an incredible comeback in the 2nd half.
First Half Dominance: Guirassy Brace
Dortmund led at the half thanks to clinical goals from Serhou Guirassy in the fourteen to twenty-four minutes, but Monterrey goal from German Berterame in the forty-eighth minute kept the Mexican team trying to tie the score until the final whistle.
Quarter-Final Setup: Real Madrid Clash
But Dortmund’s defence held strong, securing a matchup with 15-time European winners Real Madrid in the round of eight on Saturday in New Jersey.
Bellingham Brothers Reunion Blocked
The Bellingham family will not be reunited, though, as Jobe of Dortmund was sent off in the twenty-eight minute for the match against Jude’s Real Madrid after receiving a yellow card.
Player Reaction: Serhou Guirassy
It was challenging. Guinean Guirassy remarked, “They’re a good team with experienced players.
“I believe the first half was excellent. We won, so we’re all thrilled tonight, even if the second half was a little more difficult.
Match Opening: High-Intensity Start
There were many full-blooded challenges throughout the first ten minutes of the match, with Nelson Deossa of Monterrey making the first of several risky long-range attempts.
Guirassy’s Opening Goal
In the fourteenth minute, Dortmund’s Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi grabbed control after a deft touch-and-hold on the box’s edge allowed the former to drive the ball inside the near post.
Guirassy Doubles Lead
Monterrey left winger Jesus Corona struck the outside of the post with a cross-shot, and another Deossa effort challenged goalkeeper Gregor Kobel minutes later, but Dortmund quickly doubled their advantage.
Adeyemi raced towards goal after Julian Ryerson’s long-ball, which he won with a hard duel. The 23-year-old held up his run before placing the ball on a plate, where Guirassy slotted it beyond goalkeeper Esteban Andrada.
Missed Hat-Trick Opportunities
Before half-time, Guirassy could have scored a hat-trick, but he missed gilt-edged opportunities from passes from Bellingham and Pascal Gross.
Second Half: Monterrey Comeback Attempt
But with a dazzling opening to the second half, Monterrey rallied their supporters and swiftly cut the lead in half.
Erick Aguirre headed the ball back across goal after Corona, who had been a persistent threat throughout the game, sent a cross to the far post, and Berterame glanced it past Kobel.
As Monterrey kept pushing for an equaliser, Corona had one attempt blocked by Kobel and another shot over the bar before Berterame scored from an offside position.
Late Game Management
Dortmund regained some of their composure after a few replacements in the seventieth minute, and Guirassy had several half-chances to score his third goal before Monterrey resumed its offensive.
In the last seconds of regular time, Sergio Ramos, who was hoping for his own reunion with Real, went up to assist his strikers and brushed the outside of the post with a header, but the legendary Spaniard was not going to have a fairytale conclusion.
Player of the Match: Serhou Guirassy
Guirassy was selected Player of the Match. I think I could have scored maybe three goals at least, he continued. I expect a tough game (against Real) but we’ll be prepared.
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