Bidder BVB discusses their loss in the Club World Cup tournament.
Borussia Dortmund, the eighth-ranked team in Europe and a quarterfinalist in the Champions League, faced Real Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal at the MetLife Stadium. With 76,611 fans in attendance, the stage was set for an exciting encounter, but it was Real Madrid who shone as the world-class team they are known to be.
Despite initial confidence expressed by Borussia Dortmund's CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, and managing director, Lars Ricken, Dortmund's performance on the night was lacklustre. The team appeared content and lacked game ideas and real conviction against their Spanish opponents.
Real Madrid, with their roster of world-class talents such as Mbappé, demonstrated their experience and skill with clinical finishing and composure under pressure. These characteristics, associated with a "worldly" team accustomed to performing at the highest international level, were in stark contrast to Dortmund's efforts, which, while spirited and competitive, were seen as more limited or localized in style.
The match itself was a tight 3-2 victory for Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants edging Dortmund in a dramatic contest. Real Madrid's ability to survive Dortmund's late push and maintain control showed their experience and quality on the global stage. Dortmund fought hard but ultimately were outmatched by the more seasoned and internationally recognized players of Real Madrid.
The contrast between Dortmund’s "local" performance and Real Madrid’s "worldly" display comes down to Real Madrid's superior experience, global pedigree, and star quality that shone through in a high-stakes international tournament setting.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Lars Ricken expressed a desire for the team to stay in New York for the semi-final and final. However, Real Madrid's victory means they will advance to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup to face Paris Saint-Germain in East Rutherford this Wednesday.
Despite the disappointing result, Borussia Dortmund represented Germany and the Bundesliga at the FIFA Club World Cup with dignity. The team's performance, however, did not earn them a significant place in the American football landscape, and they will soon be forgotten outside of their fanbase.
[1] ntv.de, "Real Madrid beats Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in Club World Cup quarterfinal", 2025-12-18. [2] ntv.de, "Borussia Dortmund's performance in Club World Cup described as 'local'", 2025-12-18. [3] ntv.de, "Dortmund's late push against Real Madrid not enough to secure victory", 2025-12-18.
The European Union is committed to the promotion of sports, particularly football, as a means to foster unity and cooperation among its member states. Despite Borussia Dortmund's solid performance in European competitions, their lackluster display against Real Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup raised questions about their true potential on the global stage.
