Jobe Bellingham scores first Borussia Dortmund goal in Club World Cup win
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a pulsating encounter at the TQL Stadium on Saturday, edging closer to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. The match, played under swelteringly unbearable midday heat, showcased Dortmund’s resilience as they overcame an early deficit to claim their second win in Group F, propelling them to the top of the group with four points, one ahead of Sundowns. Despite a spirited second-half comeback from the South African side, Dortmund’s clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on defensive errors proved decisive. The game was a spectacle of attacking football, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance, but it was Dortmund’s composure in critical moments that ultimately secured the three points. Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, and Jobe Bellingham found the net for the Bundesliga outfit, while an own goal further bolstered their tally. For Sundowns, Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners, and Lebo Mothiba scored, but their valiant efforts fell just short of salvaging a draw in a match that underscored their competitiveness on the global stage.
The game began with a shock for Dortmund, as Sundowns took the lead after just 11 minutes through a moment of individual brilliance from Lucas Ribeiro. The Brazilian forward picked up the ball near the halfway line, exploiting a surprisingly static Dortmund defense. With poise and purpose, Ribeiro glided past two defenders, his quick feet and sharp decision-making leaving them in his wake. He coolly slotted the ball past Dortmund’s goalkeeper, sending the Sundowns supporters into raptures and silencing the German contingent in the stands. It was a statement of intent from the South African champions, who demonstrated their ability to compete with one of Europe’s elite clubs. However, Dortmund’s response was swift and ruthless, exposing Sundowns’ vulnerability at the back just five minutes later. A catastrophic error from Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gifted Dortmund the equalizer. Under pressure, Williams attempted a risky short pass, but it fell straight to Felix Nmecha, who gratefully accepted the invitation to tap the ball into an empty net. “We weren’t surprised by Sundowns; we expected a strong start from them. But we worked to impose ourselves on the game,” Nmecha remarked post-match, reflecting on Dortmund’s ability to regain control after the early setback. The equalizer shifted the momentum, and Dortmund began to assert their authority, their high-pressing game unsettling Sundowns’ rhythm.
Dortmund’s ascendancy continued as they took the lead through a moment of exquisite teamwork. A slick exchange of one-two passes between Julian Brandt and Serhou Guirassy carved open Sundowns’ defense, with Brandt’s pinpoint delivery finding Guirassy in the box. The towering striker rose majestically, powering a header past Williams to give Dortmund a deserved 2-1 lead. The goal highlighted Dortmund’s ability to transition quickly from defense to attack, their fluidity and precision in the final third proving too much for Sundowns to handle. As the first half drew to a close, Dortmund further extended their advantage through Jobe Bellingham, who marked his second appearance for the club with a composed finish. The opportunity arose when Williams parried a dangerous cross from Brandt directly into Bellingham’s path. The young midfielder showed remarkable composure, delaying his shot for a split second to wrong-foot the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball home. The 3-1 scoreline at halftime reflected Dortmund’s dominance, but it also masked the underlying threat posed by Sundowns, who had shown flashes of danger despite their defensive lapses.
The second half began with Sundowns showing renewed vigor, determined to claw their way back into the contest. Ten minutes after the restart, Iqraam Rayners came agonizingly close to reducing the deficit, his curling effort striking the woodwork with Dortmund’s goalkeeper beaten. The near-miss served as a warning to Dortmund, who had begun to sit deeper, inviting pressure from their opponents. However, Sundowns’ hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow on the hour mark when Dortmund capitalized on another defensive error. Daniel Svensson’s whipped cross from the left took a wicked deflection off Sundowns’ fullback Khuliso Mudau, wrong-footing Williams and nestling into the net for an own goal. The 4-1 scoreline appeared to put the game beyond Sundowns’ reach, but the South African champions refused to capitulate. Just two minutes later, they pulled one back through a well-executed set-piece. Teboho Mokoena’s floated free kick found Rayners unmarked at the back post. His initial header struck the foot of the post, but fortune favored him as the rebound ricocheted back onto his head, allowing him to nod the ball into the net. The goal reinvigorated Sundowns, who began to dominate possession and push for another.
As the match entered its final stages, Sundowns’ relentless pressure yielded a third goal in the 90th minute, setting up a nervy finish for Dortmund. Substitute Lebo Mothiba, who had been introduced to add fresh legs to Sundowns’ attack, capitalized on a rare moment of sloppiness from Dortmund’s midfield. Sundowns stole possession high up the pitch, and Mothiba latched onto a precise through ball, finishing clinically from close range to make it 4-3. The TQL Stadium erupted as Sundowns’ fans sensed a potential equalizer, but Dortmund’s defense held firm in the dying moments, repelling wave after wave of attacks. Despite their late heroics, Sundowns could not find the elusive fourth goal, and the final whistle confirmed Dortmund’s hard-fought victory. “We take away a feeling of disappointment but pride also because we were competitive. I think we earned a lot of respect,” Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said after the match, encapsulating the bittersweet emotions of his team’s performance.
The match was a testament to the growing competitiveness of club football on the global stage, with Sundowns proving they could hold their own against a European powerhouse like Dortmund. For the German side, the victory was a crucial step toward securing a place in the knockout stages, but it came at the cost of exposing vulnerabilities in their defense that could be exploited by stronger opponents. The blazing heat and midday kickoff added an extra layer of difficulty, testing the physical and mental resolve of both teams. Dortmund’s ability to adapt to the conditions and capitalize on Sundowns’ mistakes was the difference, but the South African champions’ spirited display earned them plaudits from fans and neutrals alike. As Dortmund look ahead to their next Group F fixture, they will take confidence from their attacking output but will need to address the defensive lapses that allowed Sundowns to mount a comeback. For Sundowns, the narrow defeat serves as a reminder of their potential to compete at the highest level, and they will look to build on this performance as they aim to progress in the tournament. The clash at TQL Stadium will be remembered as a thrilling advertisement for the Club World Cup, a competition that continues to bridge the gap between football’s traditional powerhouses and emerging forces.
