The semi-final line-up of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been confirmed following a dramatic set of quarter-final encounters on Saturday, setting up two blockbuster clashes: Chelsea vs Fluminense and Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid.
Real Madrid became the last team to secure a spot in the final four after edging Borussia Dortmund in a gripping 3-2 encounter. Goals from Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia handed Los Blancos an early lead in the first half.
Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier reduced the deficit with a low finish during extra time, but Madrid quickly responded as Kylian Mbappe restored their two-goal cushion.
A red card shown to Dean Huijsen for a last-man foul offered Dortmund a glimmer of hope. Serhou Guirassy converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-2, but the German side couldn’t complete the comeback.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team now faces a heavyweight semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, who earlier defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in a commanding display, despite ending the match with just nine players.
On the other side of the bracket, Chelsea will lock horns with Fluminense for a place in the final. The Premier League giants overcame Palmeiras 2-1 in their quarter-final battle, while Fluminense saw off Saudi outfit Al-Hilal to progress.
The semi-final encounters are slated for Tuesday and Wednesday next week, promising a thrilling conclusion to this year’s expanded edition of the Club World Cup.
