Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois labelled 'best goalkeeper in the world' after last-gasp save against Borussia Dortmund at FIFA Club World Cup
Published 06/07/2025 at 10:21 GMT+1
Borussia Dortmund manager Nico Kovac labelled Thibaut Courtois as the "best goalkeeper in the world" after the Belgian denied the Bundesliga outfit an equaliser in the 99th minute with a wonder-save. Real Madrid beat Dortmund 3-2 to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals, where they will take on Paris Saint-Germain. It will be Kylian Mbappe's first encounter with his former side.
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Thibaut Courtois was labelled the "best goalkeeper in the world" after producing a last gasp save to ensure Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Madrid were leading 2-0 at 90 minutes, courtesy of first-half goals from Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia.
However, Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier netted in the 92nd minute to half the deficit, only for Kylian Mbappe to restore Madrid's advantage two minutes later.
Los Blancos were then given another scare as Dean Huijsen saw red for a foul in the box on Serhou Guirassy, who netted the subsequent penalty.Â
And in the 99th minute, Dortmund thought they had equalised, as Marcel Sabitzer drove a sweetly-struck shot towards the bottom corner - but Courtois was equal to it.
He ensured Madrid claimed victory and a place in the semi-finals, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.
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"We are so lucky that we have Thibaut in goal because Thibaut is one of those keepers that makes you win games, and today that save has been so decisive," Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said, via the Associated Press.
Dortmund coach Nico Kovac added: "It is a great big save. That’s the reason why he is the best goalkeeper in the world.
"To be honest, it’s a deserved win from Real Madrid. We showed all our qualities and now it’s not a failure if you go home after defeat against Real Madrid."
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Courtois, meanwhile, said: "In football it’s like this. All the teams that are here, they compete until the end.
"A game could become like this at any minute and that’s what happened at the end."
Next up for Madrid are PSG. It’s a game that will see Mbappe take on his former club for the first time since completing a move to Los Blancos last summer.
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