Borussia Dortmund II secured victory in the Premier League International Cup, defeating Real Madrid Castilla 1-0 in the final. The match, held as part of the annual U23 competition hosted by the Premier League, saw Dortmund claim their first title in the competition, following Bayern Munich’s win in the 2018/19 season.
Dortmund took an early lead within the first ten minutes through Taycan Etcibasi, capitalizing on a flowing move initiated by goalkeeper Aaron Held and completed with an assist from Enzo Duarte. The goal propelled Etcibasi to the top of the tournament’s scoring chart, surpassing Yohan Ngatcheu of RB Leipzig and Manchester United’s James Scanlon with five goals overall.
Despite Real Madrid’s dominance in possession and overall play, they were unable to convert their opportunities against a resolute Dortmund defense orchestrated by Daniel Rios. The match concluded with a brief scuffle between players during injury time, reflecting the intensity of the contest. This is the second time a German team has won the competition.
Etcibasi’s impressive form throughout the tournament saw him score in all but one of Dortmund’s matches, a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the group stage. The 18-year-old striker joined Dortmund’s youth academy from Schalke in 2024, quickly establishing himself as a key player for the reserve side. He follows Ensar Aksakal, who won the golden boot for Hertha Berlin last season, as the second consecutive German player to finish as the competition’s top scorer.
The Premier League International Cup provides a valuable platform for the development of young players from across Europe, offering competitive experience against some of the continent’s most promising talents. Dortmund’s victory underscores the strength of their youth system and their commitment to nurturing the next generation of footballers. The win will likely raise the profile of players like Etcibasi and Duarte, potentially accelerating their pathways to the first team.
