What is the story about?
The last two standing Dortmund players from the beginning of the week were Gregor Kobel and Julian Ryerson. Scores aside, let’s look back to see how they fared.
All players stats courtesy of FotbMob.
Tuesday, July 7th
Switzerland o-0 Columbia (Pen 4-3)
Gregor Kobel (GK), Switzerland
- Minutes played: 120
- Goals conceded: 0
- Saves: 4 (including 1 PK save)
- Accurate passes: 39/48
- Performance: Gregor Kobel delivered a career-defining, world-class performance to lead the Swiss past Los Cafeteros in their World Cup Round of 16 clash. After a grueling 120 minutes of tense, physical football ended in a 0-0 stalemate, Kobel stepped up as the ultimate hero in the penalty shootout, guiding Switzerland to a 4-3 penalty shootout victory and earning FIFA’s official Player of the Match honors.
- In a nerve-wracking shootout, Kobel guessed correctly and stopped a crucial penalty kick from Colombia’s fourth shooter, Cucho Hernández. His save ultimately paved the way for Switzerland to advance after Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez also hit the crossbar and Switzerland’s former BVB teammate Manuel Akanji sent his own shot over the bar. Kobel made 3 official saves during play to keep Switzerland in the game. His finest moment came during extra time when he managed to get his fingertips to a dangerous Jhon Lucumí header, redirecting it onto the crossbar.
- Following the match, an emotional Kobel told Swiss media:”From a sporting perspective, this is definitely the best day of my life… It was a huge moment for me! Seeing the lads push each other on. The emotions that came out of it. That’s unique.” With his heroics against Colombia, the 28-year-old Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper officially cemented his status as Switzerland’s World Cup hero.
- Rating: 10/10
Saturday, July 11th
England 2-1 Norway
Julian Ryerson (DEF), Norway
- Minutes played: 60
- Accurate passes: 11/12
- Chances created: 2
- Accurate crosses: 3
- Tackles: 4
- Clearences: 4
- Performance: The Dortmund right-back, had the difficult task of managing England’s dangerous left side, primarily matching up against Anthony Gordon. He registered 4 tackles and 4 clearances (joint-most defensive contributions with 8) during his time on the pitch, fighting relentlessly in the sweltering Miami heat. Ryerson’s nagging injuries persisted. In the 60th minute, he went down in pain and was unable to continue. He had to be substituted for Fredrik Aursnes after appearing to aggravate a recurring thigh injury—an issue that had previously kept him out of two group-stage matches earlier in the tournament.
- Norway was leading 1-0 thanks to an incredible first-half strike from Andreas Schjelderup when Ryerson was forced off. Shortly after his departure, Jude Bellingham equalized for England, eventually going on to score the winner in extra time.
- Following the match, medical updates indicate that Ryerson is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks with a recurring right thigh and calf issue, raising some concerns for his upcoming pre-season preparation for BVB.
- Rating: 7/10
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
Gregor Kobel (GK), Switzerland
- Minutes played: 120
- Goals conceded: 3
- Saves: 4
- Accurate passes: 19/38
- Performance: Despite the final scoreline, Kobel put on an incredibly valiant performance, repeatedly keeping Switzerland alive under immense pressure. Kobel stood tall against Argentina’s world-class attack, registering 4 crucial saves over the course of 120 minutes. After Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for Argentina in the 10th minute, Kobel made several key stops to prevent them from doubling their lead, allowing Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye to equalize in the 67th minute.
- The match turned heavily against Switzerland in the 72nd minute when forward Breel Embolo was sent off with a second yellow card. Playing with 10 men, Kobel and the Swiss defense had to withstand an absolute onslaught. Kobel’s resistance finally broke in the second half of extra time. Julián Álvarez found the breakthrough for Argentina in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez sealed the 3-1 victory with a stoppage-time goal in the 120th minute as Switzerland pushed everyone forward.
- While it was a painful exit, Kobel left the tournament with his reputation greatly enhanced, having established himself on the global stage as one of the world’s elite shot-stoppers.
- Rating: 7/10
Dortmund says goodbye World Cup
With 10 Dortmund players featured across 6 countries, this has been a memorable journey – for a variety of reasons – for our boys in black and yellow, as they say goodbye to the 2026 FIFA World Cup (four more years
can’t come soon enough). They now gear up for upcoming preseason friendlies.
Oh yeah, there are the semifinals and finals coming up, if you’re into that sort of thing.
