“The last five minutes were madness,” reflected a relieved Toni Rudiger.
There had been calm before the storm. Real Madrid C.F. were two-nil up, knocking the ball about confidently, limiting Borussia Dortmund to pot shots in their FIFA Club World Cup™ quarter-final. Then, suddenly, the Madridistas were put through an emotional roller coaster.
Maximilian Beier pulled one back in the 93rd minute. Kylian Mbappe swiftly restored the two-goal cushion but, Dean Huijsen had been sent off, Serhou Guirassy made it 3-2. Then Thibaut Courtois produced a superb save with seconds remaining to deny Dortmund extra time.
“It’s mixed feeling because I think the first 30 minutes were very, very good,” said Rudiger. “Then we dropped a bit too much, let Dortmund have too much of the ball.”
Other Blancos nevertheless chose to accentuate the positives.
“We’re happy for reaching the semi-finals,” said Fran Garcia, who scored Madrid’s second goal and was named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match. “The game ended a bit crazily. We were a little out of sorts with the penalty and the last play, but we look at the positives.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the cross for Fran’s goal. The 26-year-old wing-back, who recently joined from Liverpool, now has assists in back-to-back outings.
“What was that, game five?” he said. “It’s early days but I think I’m settling in well. It’s a different club, a different playing style, and it’s different playing in a tournament like this to playing in league games.
“But it’s going well so far. I’m getting on with the lads, both on and off the pitch. I’m feeling more comfortable with every game, every minute I play. I hope to continue improving and giving assists.
“We started very well, got two earlyish goals that set us up. We didn’t give them any chances, we defended the way we wanted to, limited their shots, and created good chances.
“We wanted to get another goal at the start of the second half. We weren’t able to do that, but we were able to win the game, even if it got a little bit messy at the end. Overall, all that mattered was winning and we were able to do that.”
Madrid will now return to MetLife Sadium on Wednesday for a blockbuster semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
“PSG are a very, very tough team,” said Rudiger. “They showed that they are one of the best in Europe in terms of form, and it will be a tough match. But we are Real Madrid and we are up for the challenge.”
Alexander-Arnold added: “I played PSG this season and they were outstanding. Of course it’s going to be a difficult game. We’re both in the final four and we both deserve to be here.
“In knockout football, anyone can beat anyone. We’ll work hard to recover and prepare for a difficult game. Let’s see who comes out on top and who are the best team.”
The star of the show had the final word.
“It’s the first edition and everyone always remembers the first champions,” said Fran. “The team is focused, we’re up for it, and we’re going to try to get it.”
