Madrid vs Dortmund: 2025 FIFA CWC quarterfinal preview, prediction
Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior celebrates his hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund. Photo Credit- The New York Times
Real Madrid vs Dortmund: 2025 FIFA CWC quarterfinal match preview, prediction European heavyweights Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund face off in a high-stakes 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal, a rematch of the 2024 Champions League final on Saturday, July 5, 2025, 9:00 PM ET (1:00 AM GMT, July 6), MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, with the winner advancing to face PSG or Bayern Munich. Real Madrid, unbeaten in the tournament, edged Juventus 1-0 in the Round of 16, while Dortmund overcame Monterrey 2-1. This clash at MetLife Stadium promises a tactical duel between Real’s attacking flair and Dortmund’s counter-attacking prowess. This piece is set to preview both teams’ performances, tactics, team news, injuries, head-to-head statistics, and a scoreline prediction.
Real Madrid recent performances
Real Madrid topped Group H with seven points, drawing 1-1 with Al Hilal, beating Pachuca 3-1, and RB Salzburg 3-0, before a 1-0 Round of 16 win over Juventus on July 1, 2025, with Gonzalo Garcia’s header. In the 2024/25 La Liga, they finished second, scoring 78 goals in 38 matches, led by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Their unbeaten Club World Cup run (3 wins, 1 draw) and €55 million in prize money make them the tournament’s top earners.
Real Madrid tactical analysis
Xabi Alonso’s flexible 4-3-3, occasionally shifting to a 3-5-2, emphasizes possession and quick transitions. Jude Bellingham (9 goals, 9 assists) and Federico Valverde drive midfield, with Arda Guler’s creativity adding flair. Vinicius dribbles and Gonzalo García’s 3 goals in 4 Club World Cup games lead the attack, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 0.4 assists per 90 bolster the right. A makeshift defense, with Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger, kept a clean sheet against Juventus but conceded against Al Hilal, a potential weakness against Dortmund’s counters.
Real Madrid team news and injuries
Real Madrid welcome back Kylian Mbappe, who played 22 minutes against Juventus after a stomach illness, and he’s likely to start. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are back in the squad but unlikely to start. Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy remain out with long-term injuries. Raul Asencio is available after a suspension but may stay benched. Gonzalo Garcia (3 goals) could keep his spot over Mbappe, with Bellingham confirmed to start despite a shoulder issue.
Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Garcia, Vinicius Jr.
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Borussia Dortmund recent form
Dortmund topped Group B with seven points, beating Seattle Sounders 4-3, Ulsan HD 1-0, and Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3, before a 2-1 Round of 16 win over Monterrey, with Serhou Guirassy scoring. In the 2024/25 Bundesliga, they finished third, scoring 68 goals in 34 matches, with Guirassy’s 18 goals and Julian Brandt’s 9 assists leading the way. Their unbeaten tournament run (3 wins, 1 draw) showcases resilience under Niko Kovac, though goal concessions to Mamelodi Sundowns highlighted defensive frailties.
Dortmund tactical analysis
Niko Kovac’s 3-4-3 focuses on counter-attacks and wing play, averaging 49% possession in the tournament. Felix Nmecha and Pascal Grob control midfield, feeding Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi’s pace. Wing-backs Julian Ryerson and Ian Maatsen stretch defenses, but Niklas Sule’s slower recovery speed could be exposed by Real’s pace. Dortmund’s “resilient counter-attacking style,” kept them unbeaten, but their high line risks exposure against Garcia and Vinicius.
Dortmund team news and injuries
Dortmund are without Jobe Bellingham, suspended for yellow card accumulation, ruling out a brotherly clash with Jude. Emre Can (groin), Salih Ozcan, and Nico Schlotterbeck are out, with Jamie Gittens doubtful due to illness and a potential Chelsea transfer. Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha are set to start, with Gregor Kobel in goal. Serhou Guirassy, fresh off scoring against Monterrey, leads the line.
Predicted Dortmund XI (3-4-3): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Nmecha, Grob, Maatsen; Brandt, Guirassy, Adeyemi.
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Real Madrid vs Dortmund head-to-head statistics
Real Madrid and Dortmund have met 15 times in UEFA competitions, with Real leading 8-3, and 4 draws. Real won the last four encounters, including: 2024 Champions League Final: Real Madrid 2-0 Dortmund (June 1, 2024, Wembley). 2024/25 Champions League League Phase: Real Madrid 5-2 Dortmund (October 2024). 2017/18 Champions League Group Stage: Real Madrid 3-1, 3-2 Dortmund. Madrid’s dominance gives them a psychological edge, but Dortmund’s unbeaten Club World Cup run shows resilience.
Real Madrid vs Dortmund score prediction
Real Madrid are favorites. Dortmund’s 7 goals in 4 games and Guirassy’s form (2 goals vs. Seattle) pose a threat, but their defensive injuries and Real’s depth (Mbappe, Vinicius) tilt the scales. Both teams’ attacking approaches suggest goals, with Real scoring 2+ in 8 of their last 10 games.
