Serhou Guirassy continued his impressive form, leading Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 victory over Sergio Ramos's Monterrey and securing the German side a place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, AFP reported.

The striker scored both goals for Dortmund in the first half, and his team held off pressure from the Mexican side after the break, despite a quick goal from Germán Berterame. Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos had a golden chance to equalise late on but headed wide, meaning Dortmund will now face Spanish giants Real Madrid in the next round, after they eliminated Juventus earlier.

Following grueling outdoor matches in the group stage, Dortmund were relieved to play in the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which allowed for a faster pace.

Monterrey coach Domènec Torrent had warned his side to remain disciplined defensively if they were to stand a chance, but Dortmund broke through early. In the 14th minute, Guirassy exchanged quick passes with Karim Adeyemi at the edge of the box, confused defender Jorge Rodríguez, and calmly finished at the near post.

The 29-year-old Guinea international, who finished as top scorer in this season’s Champions League, netted again ten minutes later. In between, Jesús Corona nearly equalised by accident as his cross struck the post.

Guirassy reached 37 goals across all competitions this season, once again set up by the darting Adeyemi, finishing clinically from the edge of the box. Dortmund coach Niko Kovač expected a more aggressive approach from Monterrey, but it was his players who were tougher in the duels early on. Jobe Bellingham received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Monterrey playmaker Nelson Deossa, which rules him out of a potential showdown with his older brother Jude Bellingham in the quarter-final against Real Madrid.

Guirassy missed a chance to complete a hat-trick, and Adeyemi failed to control the ball cleanly when breaking through on goal.

Monterrey, who had impressed with a draw against Inter Milan in the group stage, looked dangerous going forward, but Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel made key saves, including one against Corona just before halftime. Early in the second half, Berterame pulled one back with a close-range header after a deflection in the box. The striker, who scored twice against Urawa Red Diamonds in the previous match, reacted fastest to the rebound.

Kobel denied another effort from former Porto star Corona, who appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after a collision with the towering Niklas Süle. Berterame did find the net again with a powerful strike into the far corner, but it was disallowed for offside.

Dortmund were far less active in attack after the break, and Guirassy squandered another opportunity for a third goal. Monterrey fans chanted “Yes, we can” as they urged their team on in the closing minutes. In a final push, Torrent moved Ramos up front, hoping for late magic from the 39-year-old veteran.

Wearing the number 93 – a nod to his famous 2014 Champions League final goal for Real Madrid – Ramos came close to equalising with a header in stoppage time that narrowly missed the target. |BGNES