Image: Borussia Dortmund on X
(The Post News)- On Saturday, Borussia Dortmund defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in an exciting match at the Club World Cup. For the first time, the English midfielder, who joined the German team this month like his older brother Jude, began for Dortmund.
Sundowns surprised everyone by taking the lead early on, but Dortmund rallied to win in hot weather at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and take the lead in Group F. According to Dortmund coach Niko Kovac, clubs from the “south” had an edge due to the heat, and the Sundowns opening in the eleventh minute seemed to support his suspicions.
The CAF Champions League runners-up took the lead thanks to a brilliant solo goal from Lucas Ribeiro, who came forward from his own half before defeating Gregor Kobel. But Sundowns goalie Ronwen Williams gave Dortmund the equaliser by giving the ball directly to Felix Nmecha, who then scored with a stroke.
In a close battle, both goalkeepers made excellent saves until Dortmund’s striker Serhou Guirassy gave them the lead. The Guinea international continued his excellent play this season when Dortmund regained the ball high up the pitch and Julian Brandt crossed for him to score with a beautiful jump and header.
Bellingham, who cost 33 million euros (about $37 million) to join from Sunderland earlier in June, scored Dortmund’s third goal shortly before halftime. Bellingham blasted home after Williams controlled on his chest after he parried a cross into his path.
Jude, his brother, joined Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in 2023 after signing with Dortmund five years prior. Dortmund supporters sang “Hey Jobe,” a cover of the Beatles song “Hey Jude,” which they used to sing to Jude Bellingham.
Dortmund’s first stalemate with Fluminense was lacklustre, but they scored their fourth goal when Kuliso Mudau attempted to cut away a cross and ended up in his own net. The Sundowns, who have won the last eight South African league titles, resisted giving up until three minutes later when Iqraam Rayners grabbed one back.
Rayners, who scored the game-winning goal for Sundowns against Ulsan HD in the first game, headed the ball into the post and promptly nodded the rebound home. In the 90th minute, Lebo Mothiba gave the Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso’s team another comeback. preventing Dortmund from celebrating their win until they had to endure six minutes of stoppage time.
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