South African football giants Mamelodi Sundowns delivered a spirited and impressive performance but ultimately came up short against German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, succumbing to a thrilling 4-3 defeat on Saturday in a captivating FIFA Club World Cup encounter.
While the result sees Dortmund claim all three points and top the group, Sundowns’ resilient display showcased their quality and ensures they remain firmly in contention for the knockout stages with one round of group matches still to play.
The Brazilians made an audacious start, signaling their intent early on. In the 11th minute, Lucas Ribeiro, celebrating his 50th appearance for the club, coolly slotted home to give Sundowns a shock lead.
The goal was brilliantly set up by a precise assist from Tashreeq Matthews, a player with a notable past at none other than Borussia Dortmund, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the early exchanges.
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That being said, the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Dortmund capitalized on a rare error from Sundowns’ usually reliable goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, with Felix Nmecha pouncing on a misplaced pass to level the scores at 1-1. The eight-time Bundesliga champions then began to assert their dominance.
Midway through the first half, Serhou Guirassy headed Dortmund in front after a midfield turnover, showcasing their clinical finishing. Just before the halftime whistle, Jobe Bellingham, brother of former Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham, extended the German side’s lead to 3-1 with a sharp finish, leaving Sundowns with a significant deficit to overcome.
The second half began with another setback for the South African champions. On the hour mark, a stroke of misfortune saw Khuliso Mudau inadvertently turn the ball into his own net, extending Dortmund’s lead to a seemingly insurmountable 4-1.
Despite the score line, Mamelodi Sundowns refused to surrender. Demonstrating immense character and attacking prowess, they launched a spirited late surge.
In the 63rd minute, Iqraam Rayners pulled one back with a crisp, well-taken finish, reigniting hope. The tension escalated further in the dying moments of the match when substitute Lebo Mothiba found the back of the net, reducing the deficit to a mere single goal.
Despite the narrow margin at the final whistle, Borussia Dortmund’s clinical first-half performance proved just enough to secure the vital three points. This enthralling encounter leaves both teams with everything to play for as the FIFA Club World Cup group stage reaches its thrilling climax.
Sundowns’ ability to battle back from a three-goal deficit against a team of Dortmund’s caliber will undoubtedly instill confidence as they head into their final group match, knowing their fate is still very much in their own hands.
Masandawana will be in action against Fluminense FC next week. Kick off at the Hard Rock Stadium is set for 21h00 on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.