FIFA Club World Cup R16 Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Monterrey

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 concludes on Tuesday night in Atlanta, where Borussia Dortmund plays CF Monterrey in what promises to be a free-flowing, high-scoring game after goals rained down for both teams in the group stage.

The pressure is on Dortmund to win this game and demonstrate why they're one of the giants of world football. Still, a Monterrey headed by former New York City FC head coach Domé Torrent was the only team from Mexico to advance in the competition, and has already shown how they can unsettle European opposition.

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1. New man on the Jobe

Jobe Bellingham followed in the footsteps of his brother, Jude Bellingham, when he completed his move to Dortmund this summer after starring in Sunderland’s promotion season. Notably, he chose to play for a Champions League team and a chance to play in the Club World Cup over Premier League football. The English attacking midfielder is already settling in, scoring a goal in the FIFA Club World Cup and providing an assist as Dortmund narrowly won their group.

Bellingham may be Dortmund’s key to success in the knockout stages. His influence has been bigger than what you see in the box score because of Dortmund’s slim margins of victory: He scores and assists when it matters most. Without Bellingham on the field, Dortmund could have very well finished third in the group with just three points, and failed to advance.

But instead, it's “Thanks Jobe” banners on the Yellow Wall. The 19-year-old may hold the key to Dortmund’s success in this knockout round.

2. Sergio Ramos, Renaissance Man

At the opposite end of the age spectrum, you have 38-year-old Sergio Ramos, Monterrey’s surprise player this tournament. The legendary center-back is in the twilight of his career, but he plays as if he still has something to prove. He is the crucial piece of a Monterrey defense that has only conceded one goal all tournament. He is effective on both sides of the pitch, winning 60% of his tackles and 62% of all duels, numbers that belie his mileage.

Ramos also contributed to Monterrey's scoreline, chipping in the opening goal of the game against Inter Milan and helping his team to a 1-1 draw. With that result, Ramos and Monterrey proved they can handle a European heavyweight. Beyond the stats, Monterrey’s captain brings invaluable leadership to this team and a vault of big-match experience. He’ll be fired up for a win against Dortmund, so expect him to play a large role tonight in Atlanta.

3. Formations will be hard to predict

Both Dortmund and Monterrey experimented with different formations throughout the group stage, unlike other teams that have stuck with one system. That makes it difficult to guess the shape each team will take and how they will approach the game.

Will Dortmund lean on wide overloads and Bellingham’s runs? Or will they seek central combinations through Julian Brandt? Can Monterrey’s double pivot smother possession, forcing transitions where winger Germán Berterame thrives? The first 15 minutes should reveal whose roll of the tactical dice pays off.

4. Monterrey already tested against European opposition

At the risk of sounding repetitive, but Monterrey already drew with Inter 1-1, getting a result against the club ranked #6 in the world. If they can compete with Inter, they can compete with #9 Dortmund — and any other team in this tournament. What’s stopping Monterrey from winning it all?!?

But context matters, and Monterrey entered that first match against a tired Inter coming off an exhausting run to the UEFA Champions League final just weeks before. Dortmund will be more rested after beating South Korea's Ulsan HD FC last Wednesday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati in the final game of the group stage.

5. Key to the Match: Score early and control the game

History suggests the opening goal will be decisive: Dortmund and Monterrey both win when they score first. When they don’t, they struggle.

Expect both teams to enter the game at full speed from the opening whistle. It helps that this match will be played in the climate-controlled comfort of Mercedes-Benz Stadium — while the Atlanta heat might be melting the asphalt outside, the conditions inside will be comfortable.

There will be no sweat-sucking humidity, no hours-long game delays because of passing thunderstorms. Instead, it will likely be an extremely entertaining encounter. From Bellingham’s youthful spark to Ramos’s veteran savvy, this match should be one of the tournament’s most compelling clashes.