CWC debutants Dortmund were unbeaten in their last 10 matches (W8, D2) prior to kick-off. That ongoing momentum helped Niko Kovac’s side take the fight to Monterrey throughout the opening exchanges, in what was their first-ever encounter against a side from Liga MX.
The difference in quality took just 14 minutes to result in a BVB opener, and Guirassy was the predictable agent of destruction, sweeping a one-on-one effort past Esteban Andrada after being put through on goal by Karim Adeyemi’s exquisite back-heel pass.
Not deterred, Monterrey were nearly level straight from the restart, as Jesus Corona’s cross-shot struck the outside of the post, before Nelson Deossa’s fierce strike stung Gregor Kobel’s palms.
Dortmund unsurprisingly came straight back at Monterrey, and Guirassy doubled up just 10 minutes after striking the opener, once again benefitting from the vision of Adeyemi and striking the ball into the corner of the net when through on goal.
The Guinean continued looking unstoppable, and was inches away from a hat-trick just after the half-hour mark, when he failed to connect to Jobe Bellingham’s delightful delivery across the danger zone.
Whatever was said in the Monterrey dressing room at HT worked, as they were back in it with just three minutes on the clock after the restart.
Having already netted twice at the tournament, German Berterame registered a potentially pivotal third goal as he headed home from close range.
Despite the introduction of the vastly experienced Marcel Sabitzer to try and stop Monterrey’s momentum, Kobel had to be at his best to prevent Corona’s one-on-one strike from sneaking in at the near post.
That wasn’t the end of Monterrey’s surge by a distance, and Dortmund’s struggles only continued as the game surpassed the hour mark in Atlanta, with Berterame seeing an effort ruled out for the most marginal of offsides.
However, even a late triple substitution that involved the attack-minded Lucas Ocampos and Roberto de la Rosa couldn’t help Monterrey force ET, as Dortmund ultimately survived a sub-par second-half showing to progress through to Saturday’s showpiece.
A potential bite of the Big Apple proved too much for Monterrey in the end, and a repeat of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final will now unfold in New York at the weekend. Guirassy ended what was a creditable showing at the 2025 FIFA CWC for the Mexican outfit, with a gallant exit coming after they went unbeaten throughout the group stage (W1, D2).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
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