CWC Semi-Finals: Real Madrid to face PSG as Chelsea takes on Fluminense
Brackets for the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup are complete after Real Madrid eased past Dortmund with a 3-2 win to secure the last spot at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Saturday.
Real’s 21-year-old sensation, Gonzalo Garcia, opened the scoreline just ten minutes into the game, his fourth of the tournament and currently at the top of the table for most goals in the competition (G4, 1A). Defender Fran Garcia doubled the lead for Real Madrid ten minutes later, giving the Spanish side control of the game for the first half.
An injury time goal from Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier saw hope return to the German side but Kylian Mbappe’s 94th– minute goal meant a win was all but guaranteed for Los Blancos. Real defender Dean Huijsen’s red card in the final minutes of the game gave Dortmund a penalty, which Serhou Guirassy converted from the spot, bringing the scoreline to 3:2 for Real Madrid at full time.
The win means Xabi Alonso’s side will face off with UCL champions PSG, who advanced to the semis after a 2-0 victory against fellow European heavyweights Bayern Munich on Saturday, despite finishing the match with nine men due to red cards for defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez.
Chelsea booked their ticked to the semi-finals after beating Brazilian side Palmeiras 2-1 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday. Cole Palmer’s 16-minute opener saw the English side control the tempo of the game until the Chelsea-bound Willian Estevao (18) leveled the game just before the hour mark. However, goalkeeper Weverton’s 83rd-minute own goal sent the Brazilian heavyweights packing.
Perhaps the most storied run of the tournament yet, is by Fluminense, the Brazilian side that has pulled of stunning upsets, taking out Italian giants Inter Milan with a 2-0 win in the round of 16, and Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal in the quarter-finals to reach the last four stage.
Friday’s win against Al Hilal means the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions will battle it out with Chelsea at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday, July 8, for a place in the final.
Alonso’s Real Madrid with lock horns with European champions PSG on Wednesday, July 9, for what has been described as a “clash of giants” semi-final as both teams chase a record-setting silverware.
By: Novire Kuuyizie Francis
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