TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD’S promising start to life at Real Madrid continued as Xabi Alonso’s side survived some sensational stoppage-time drama.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a brilliant late save from Marcel Sabitzer to seal the win.
Without it, Dortmund would have grabbed a miraculous equaliser despite falling 3-1 behind in the fourth minute of added time when Kylian Mbappe scored with a spectacular overhead volley.
The Spanish giants seemed to be cruising to a repeat of their victory over the German team in the 2024 Champions League final.
Stand-in striker Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the tournament.
Then Alexander-Arnold crossed for fellow wing-back Fran Garcia to make it two with less than a quarter of the game gone.
If Vinicius Junior had shown more composure with two chances, Real would have been out of sight at the break.
Dortmund boss Niko Kovac made a triple change at the break and his side improved.
But Courtois did not have a meaningful save to make until Maximilian Beier’s effort on the hour.
Mbappe and Federico Valverde forced saves from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and it was still 2-0 going into six minutes of stoppage time.
Beier’s strike seemed to be a mere consolation.
Then Mbappe produced an acrobatic finish from close range to make it 3-1.
Yet moments later former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen was sent off for pulling back Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy in the box.
Guirassy scored from the spot and there was still time for Dortmund to come again.
Sabitzer fired a shot goalwards but Courtois threw himself to his right to ensure that Real would face Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster semi-final on Wednesday.
Alexander-Arnold dedicated his performance in the Club World Cup win to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota.
TAA took to the field for the first time since Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident on Thursday.
Alexander-Arnold said: “No matter how difficult it was and how difficult it is, I still have a job to do do.
‘He was there with me’
“As hard as it was, I had to try to push it to the back of my mind. It was difficult, I’m not going to lie about that. I’ve done it in honour of my close friend.
“That’s what I’m sure he would have wanted me to do and we would have had a laugh and a joke about the assist.
“That was in some way in memory of him. He was there with me today I’m sure.”
Alexander-Arnold bravely decided to speak in public about Jota after previously paying tribute via social media.
Visibly emotional, the England star told DAZN: “First and foremost I want to send my condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a close friend of mine.
‘It’s been very emotional’
“It’s been very very difficult for me and all the ones that knew him – not just team-mates, friends and family, but the footballing world.
“It’s been very emotional and heartwarming to see the football world unite and come together to show their love and support to him and his family and his brother as well.
“Although it’s been difficult, it’s been a nice showing out from everyone, all clubs and all people uniting to show love and support in what must be a mind-blowingly hard time for the family.
“I’ve been in and around him and his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his parents, his amazing three children, so it’s truly truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that. It’s something you would never ever expect.
“He was a very close friend, someone who lit up a room when he was in it. I shared a dressing room with him for five years, amazing memories on and off the pitch with him.
“He will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in our memories for the man and player he was.”
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