Real Madrid`s journey to the Club World Cup semi-finals was a blend of spectacle and late-game drama. At MetLife Stadium, they secured a place in the final four with a 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund, a match that finished far more tensely than its 2-0 scoreline suggested just before stoppage time. The chaotic ending, including a red card for Dean Huijsen, not only added excitement but also intensified the selection headaches for manager Xabi Alonso.
Before the late surge of goals and cards, Real Madrid`s emerging talents stole the spotlight. Gonzalo Garcia, 21, continued his impressive Club World Cup campaign by opening the scoring early, marking his fourth goal in the tournament. He was aided by a well-placed long ball from 20-year-old Arda Guler, showcasing a potential attacking partnership. New signing Trent Alexander-Arnold also made an instant impact, providing an assist for Fran Garcia`s goal, offering a glimpse into the team`s refreshed look.
However, the narrative shifted dramatically with the arrival and decisive goal from Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar, despite being sidelined earlier with gastroenteritis, came on and scored the match-winner with a spectacular flying kick. This goal, while securing the win, reignited the persistent question surrounding Mbappe`s optimal role within Real Madrid`s attack, especially considering the presence of established forwards like Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Gonzalo Garcia initially stepped into the starting role partly due to Mbappe`s illness. But with the Club World Cup trophy now within reach, it seems increasingly unlikely that Xabi Alonso will drop the in-form 21-year-old. Alonso, aiming to instill the high-intensity style seen at his former club Bayer Leverkusen, faces the challenge of refining Real Madrid after Carlo Ancelotti`s successful yet sometimes inconsistent tenure. The difficulty of balancing the attack, a struggle even for Ancelotti with Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo, is now Alonso`s key task.
Alonso and Mbappe were unfortunate with the timing of the player`s illness, which limited his group stage involvement and made his availability a game-day decision against Dortmund. His limited minutes in the last two matches suggest Alonso might need to choose between Garcia and Mbappe for the crucial semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe`s former club.
While Alonso hasn`t ruled out playing Garcia, Mbappe, and Vinicius together, figuring out how they can effectively combine is a significant challenge. This complexity exists even with the possibility of Rodrygo departing, which would theoretically simplify the equation. Garcia`s strong performances present a positive problem, a “champagne problem” befitting a club known for its elite status. Winning, as Madrid did, remains the primary objective, but how Xabi Alonso integrates Kylian Mbappe into that winning formula could well define the early phase of his managerial era at the Bernabéu.
Adrian Whitmore