Borussia Dortmund held off a spirited second-half comeback from Mamelodi Sundowns to secure a 4-3 victory in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup encounter on Saturday, moving them closer to a place in the knockout stages.
The win at the TQL Stadium takes the Bundesliga side to the top of Group F with four points from two games. The South African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, sit second with three points.
Despite falling behind to an early goal, Dortmund responded emphatically. Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, and Jobe Bellingham all found the net for the German club, who also benefited from an own goal. Sundowns, who had taken the lead through Lucas Ribeiro, fought back with second-half goals from Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba to ensure a tense finish in the sweltering midday heat.
Ribeiro gave the South African side a shock lead in the 11th minute with a superb solo effort, running from the halfway line and gliding past two defenders to score. However, their advantage lasted only five minutes. A calamitous error from Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who played a short pass directly to Felix Nmecha, gifted Dortmund an easy tap-in for the equaliser.
“We weren’t surprised by Sundowns; we expected a strong start from them, but we worked to impose ourselves on the game,” Nmecha said afterwards.
Dortmund took the lead when a sharp interchange between Julian Brandt and Serhou Guirassy ended with the striker heading home powerfully. Jobe Bellingham, making his second appearance for the club, then made it 3-1 on the stroke of halftime, pouncing on a rebound after Williams had parried a Brandt cross into his path.
The German side extended their lead to 4-1 on the hour mark when a cross from Daniel Svensson took a significant deflection off Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau for an own goal.
Just two minutes later, Sundowns began their fightback. Teboho Mokoena’s free-kick found Iqraam Rayners, whose initial shot struck the post before he converted the rebound with his head. Substitute Lebo Mothiba then made it 4-3 in the 90th minute after a turnover in possession, but Dortmund managed to see out the remaining time.
“We take away a feeling of disappointment but pride also because we were competitive. I think we earned a lot of respect,” said Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.
In the group’s other match later on Saturday, Fluminense of Brazil were scheduled to play Ulsan HD of South Korea.
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