Adeyemi assists, Guirassy scores: BVB reach the last eight | OneFootball

The game became needlessly tense at the end. Because BVB had been in complete control for a long time in this round of 16 tie. Karim Adeyemi had assisted two goals for Serhou Guirassy (14, 24), who could have even added to his tally before the interval. The quick goal back by German Berterame after the break (48) gave Monterrey tailwind. But the Mexicans ultimately could not level the scores, even though Sergio Ramos did almost manage to restore parity at 2-2 with the very last opportunity.

The scenario:

As the Group F winners, BVB were up against the runners-up from Group E. Both clubs had gone through their three group-stage matches without defeat: Monterrey had amassed five points thanks to two draws and a win, while BVB had won two games and were only held to a draw by Fluminense, resulting in seven points.

Personnel matters:

In addition to Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Salih Özcan, who had not travelled, Jamie Gittens and Carney Chukwuemeka were missing from the matchday squad. There was one change to the starting XI compared to the game against Ulsan HD: Niklas Süle replaced Yan Couto, who dropped to the bench. Julian Ryerson moved from the right-sided centre-back position to the flank.

BVB went into the match with a three-man defence, which had made them so strong in the Bundesliga season run-in: Süle, Anton and Bensebaini. Out of possession, Daniel Svensson and Ryerson dropped back. Adeyemi was given free rein in attack and floated around centre-forward Guirassy, while Jobe Bellingham played one position behind. Out of possession, the latter repeatedly dropped back level with Pascal Groß and Felix Nmecha, resulting in a 5-3-2 formation that transformed into a 3-4-3 when they had possession of the ball.

The match & analysis:

An unusual sight: Niko Kovac was wrapped up in a hoody on the sidelines. This was because the roof was closed at the ultra-modern Mercedes Benz Stadium. The air conditioning led the temperature to drop to around 25 degrees. Pleasant for the players, unusually fresh for those watching. But Kovac and the 31,442 spectators will have quickly been warmed up by the fast-paced and varied game unfolding in front of their eyes, with both teams repeatedly seeking the direct route to goal. And through Serhou Guirassy, Dortmund found it too. The centre-forward slotted home the first goalscoring opportunity in the 14th minute following lovely build-up play from Karim Adeyemi.

The goalscorer appreciatively gave him a thumbs-up. And the two linked up again a short while later as Adeyemi set up the second goal for Guirassy, who curled the ball around a defender from around 14 metres. But when the half-time whistle sounded, the brace-scorer departed the pitch with a pensive look. Perhaps because he had spurned several chances to complete his hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes. After 31 minutes, he had not properly connected with the ball from close range. And three minutes later, Monterrey's goalkeeper Andrada had kept out his shot. Another important piece of information from the first half: Jobe Bellingham was booked in the 28th minute, meaning he will miss the quarter-final clash against Real Madrid and his brother Jude (Saturday at 16:00 local time / 22:00 CEST). It was the Dortmund No. 77's second yellow card of the tournament.

With CF Monterrey also creating good chances to score, it was amazing that the first 45 minutes produced only two goals. But Gregor Kobel was always on hand to intervene – except in the 17th minute, when a Corona cross snuck through and hit the post. BVB's lead at the break was deserved, but they were caught cold directly after the restart. The second half was only three minutes old when their defence was breached: Berterame headed home after being unintentionally assisted by Erick Aguirre.

It was a goal that gave the Mexicans belief they could come back. In the 60th minute Süle managed to disrupt the sprinting Jesus Corona just in time as he pulled the trigger, meaning Gregor Kobel had few problems blocking the shot. Five minutes later, the ball did find the back of the BVB net. Goalscorer Berterame was deemed to be offside, however. The introduction of Brandt and in particular Yan Couto, who replaced Nmecha and Adeyemi in the 71st minute, brought about more stability and longer spells of possession for Dortmund. Couto slotted into attacking midfield in a centre-left position. Marcel Sabitzer had earlier replaced Bellingham.

All those of a Black & Yellow persuasion had to endure a heart-in-mouth moment in the 91st minute, when defensive icon Sergio Ramos directed a header only centimetres wide of the upright. Kobel was beaten. It was a big stroke of fortune for BVB, who – after 95 minutes and two completely different halves – were in the quarter-final.

Christoph Bökamp reporting from Atlanta

Teams & goals

FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 Tuesday 1 July 2025, 21:00 local timeBORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-1 (2-0) CF MONTERREY

Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Süle, Anton, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Groß, Nmecha (Brandt, 71), Svensson – Adeyemi (Couto, 71), Bellingham (Sabitzer, 55) – GuirassyCF Monterrey: Andrada – Medina, Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos – Aguirre, Deossa, Oliver (de la Rosa, 84), Arteaga – Canales (Alvarado, 90), Berterame (Ambriz, 84) – Corona (Ocampos, 84)Substitutes: Meyer, Ostrzinski, Benkara, Coulibaly, Mané, Azhil, Campbell, Reyna, Albert, Beier, Duranville, Inacio – Cardenas, Mele, Chavez, Gustavo Sanchez, Guzman, Moreno, Reyes, Fimbres, Gonzalez, Rojas, CortizoGoals: 1-0 Guirassy (Adeyemi, 14), 2-0 Guirassy (Adeyemi, 24), 2-1 Berterame (Aguirre, 48)Corners: 3-5, shot count: 6-14Referee: Tello (Argentina), yellow cards: Bellingham, GuirassyAttendance: 31,442 in Atlanta, weather: dry, 25 degrees