Real Madrid will aim to keep their strong momentum going in this inaugural edition of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with a spot in the semifinals still up for grabs. That place will have to be earned in a high-stakes clash against Borussia Dortmund — no easy task. However, if Kylian Mbappe is on the pitch, that could prove to be a major advantage for the Spanish team.
The team now led by Xabi Alonso—currently in his first stint with the club—reached this stage after eliminating Italy’s Juventus in a thrilling match that ended with a 1-0 victory for Madrid.
For their part, the German side reached the quarterfinals after edging out Monterrey of Mexico by the slimmest of margins. Dortmund claimed a 2-1 win in what was undoubtedly a tightly contested match.
With Chelsea and Fluminense already securing their spots among the tournament’s final four, the question remains: can Mbappe’s Real Madrid join this elite group of semifinalists?
Is Kylian Mbappe playing today?
In Real Madrid’s most recent outing, Mbappe started the match on the bench, coming on as a substitute for Gonzalo Garcia—the game’s lone goal scorer—with just over 20 minutes left on the clock.
With Xabi Alonso’s starting XI now confirmed for the match against Dortmund, Kylian Mbappe will once again begin the game on the bench.
It’s worth noting that the former PSG star faced health issues at the start of the tournament, even requiring hospitalization for a few days due to stomach problems.
When and where will the match be played?
The semifinals are within reach for these two teams, who will have to battle every inch to secure their place among the final four of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will kick off this match at 4 PM Eastern Time, with the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — home to the NFL’s Jets and Giants — serving as the venue.
SURVEY Which team will advance to the Semifinals?
Which team will advance to the Semifinals?
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