Kylian Mbappé Steals the Show—And Hearts—With Jaw-Dropping Goal and Touching Nod to Fallen Star Jota

Kylian Mbappé created a flash of brilliance and an emotional moment as Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a pulsating FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The French superstar, having been sidelined by illness, brought the curtain down on Madrid's victory with a breath-taking overhead kick in stoppage time, before paying an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in the early hours of this week.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Mbappé's Title-Winning Goal: Mbappé scored a stunning bicycle kick in the 94th minute from Arda Güler's cross, restoring Madrid's two-goal advantage and securing their semifinal berth.

 

Touching Tribute: The moment he had scored, Mbappé turned to the cameras and formed the number "20" with his hands—Jota's Liverpool number—before bowing in respect, in tribute to the Portuguese forward's memory.

 

Drama: Madrid went ahead early with Gonzalo García and Fran García, but Dortmund came back, with Maximilian Beier finding the net in the closing stages, as well as a Serhou Guirassy penalty after Dean Huijsen was red-carded, teeing up a nail-biting finish.

 

Moment of Silence: A minute's silence was observed by both teams at kickoff in tribute to Jota, whose death aged 28, along with his brother André Silva, has rocked the footballing world.

 

Next Up: Real Madrid will face PSG in the semifinals on July 8 at MetLife Stadium, which will provide a blockbuster clash of European giants.

 

Jota's Legacy: Global tributes have been flowing in for Jota, remembered as an exemplary professional and a beloved teammate at Liverpool and also for Portugal.

 

Mbappé's move and performance summed up the very spirit of football—merging sporting excellence with a powerful message of togetherness and remembrance.

 

Source: Free Press Journal, CNN, Goal, beIN Sports, Republic World