REAL Madrid survived a dramatic added time period, which featured three goals and a red card, against Borussia Dortmund to qualify for the semi-final of the Club World Cup.
Gonzalo Garcia added his fourth goal in the side’s five matches of the competition after volleying in Arda Guler’s cross in the 10th minute and Fran Garcia tapped in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross 10 minutes later.
Madrid were coasting towards a 2-0 victory but substitute Maximilian Beier hit the first for Dortmund, sparking a dramatic end to the game.
Substitute Kylian Mbappe scored an acrobatic volley shortly after but defender Dean Huijsen was sent off for giving away a penalty just seconds later, after pulling back striker Serhou Guirassy, who then converted from the penalty spot.
It was too late to change the outcome – still a victory for Real, but by three goals to two – and the competition’s breakout attacker Garcia put himself pole position to win the golden boot at the Club World Cup, level on a four-goal tally with Angel di Maria and Marcos Leonardo, who have both now been eliminated from the competition.
Garcia had only played six times for Real before this competition and scored just once.
However, on this stage in the United States, he has taken his chances in front of a new manager and kept superstar Mbappe on the bench before kick-off.
Of course, Real boss Xabi Alonso could well have just been rotating his team but Garcia has been involved in each and every match and is remarkably making his case to stay in the squad next season having barely registered on the football map before this tournament.
Garcia certainly stood out with his industry up front, chasing lost causes, linking well and taking his chances.
New signing Huijsen was very assured at the back until his sending off while Thibaut Courtois sensationally saved Marcel Sabitzer’s volley, which was the last kick of the match.
Dortmund were largely outclassed but Julian Brandt was a threat both in terms of almost scoring himself and in trying to create for others.
Madrid qualify for the Club World Cup semi-final and will face Paris St-Germain at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
Dortmund restart their domestic football in mid-August with a game against Essen.