The final match of the 2025 Club World Cup’s Round of 16 made its way to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, featuring the Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund and Liga MX’s Monterrey. The two perennial giants from two different hemispheres squared off in what – in my mind – has been one of the more exciting matches of the Club World Cup thus far. Barring one unsavory chant (you can guess), it was a fun way to cap off this round of the tournament. Here are the final whistle thoughts live from the Benz!
Borussia Dortmund has the patience of a saint – until they don’t
Dortmund’s overall style is that of control – maybe not always in the form of possession – but simply in asserting themselves by switching between wildly patient buildup and disciplined pressing. It was that patience that led to their early goal as they passed around the top of the box waiting for Monterrey to pounce. As soon as they saw an opening, they struck with wonderful precision right through the middle.
Their second goal came from allowing Monterrey some possession before winning the ball back and immediately striking on the counter. Their ability to go from 0-60 was incredible during this match, and despite not having the best league season, they showed their quality early on in this knockout match.
Monterrey is chaotic and tenacious
Rayados came roaring back into it at the beginning of the second half, and their momentum continued to build – along with the decibel level inside the Benz. The tensions were incredibly high on the pitch, culminating in more than a few dust-ups – not to mention a few instances of the idiotic chant – but barring that consistent stain on the fandom, the atmosphere was wild. Monterrey’s inability to lay down and give up showed intently throughout the second half as Dortmund’s aforementioned balance of control suddenly became upset.
There’s no shame in going out the way Rayados did. It was a genuine effort, and one that was almost good enough to force extra time. Had their defense not been caught asleep early on in the match, we’d be having a different conversation entirely. Ultimately, this match just came down to two sides who arrived to play their style, performed well, and Monterrey just ran out of time.
The chant
Stop it. And FIFA, at least enforce your own guidelines when it comes to the whole situation.
That wraps up the round of 16 in the Club World Cup, and Atlanta hosts one more juggernaut of a match this coming Saturday as Bayern Munich takes on current Champion’s League winners PSG. In terms of sheer club size and history, it’ll be the biggest meaningful soccer match to take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium short of that gigantic one involving Atlanta United and another team in December of 2018, but I digress. Let us know below what you thought of the match!
One thing has become very clear to me. Possession without counter pressing doesn’t work.