Scoreline & Scorers:
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Mamelodi Sundowns opened the scoring early thanks to Lucas Ribeiro Costa (11’), taking advantage of a clinical move.
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Dortmund responded in quick succession:
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Felix Nmecha leveled (16’)
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Serhou Guirassy put Dortmund ahead (34’)
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Jobe Bellingham, on his first start, made it 3–1 just before halftime (45’)
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A Khuliso Mudau own goal increased Dortmund’s lead to 4–1 (59’).
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Sundowns rallied in the second half:
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Iqraam Rayners reduced the deficit (62’)
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Lebo Mothiba pulled one back in stoppage time (90’), pushing the final score to 4–3.
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Key Moments & Impact:
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Jobe Bellingham starred on debut, clinching his first Dortmund goal and earning man-of-the-match honours.
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Dortmund converted two goalkeeper errors and benefitted from the own goal, but shaky defending meant they were pushed right down to the wire .
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Dortmund top the group with four points, one ahead of Sundowns.
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Sundowns showcased heart and resilience—coach Miguel Cardoso emphasized their pride and competitiveness after a strong showing.
Defensive Wobble Amid High Temps:
Temps above 30°C contributed to physical fatigue on both sides. Dortmund’s substitutes remained in cooler rooms, avoiding the heat—while multiple errors at the back saw players like Yan Couto and Niklas Süle underwhelmingly rated.
Tactical View:
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Sundowns, under Cardoso, reverted to their dynamic 4-2-3-1 style. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made several saves, and the attack—spearheaded by Ribeiro Costa and Rayners—showed firepower.
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Dortmund recovered from an earlier 0–0 with Fluminense, showing improved attacking cohesion—although defensive fragility remains a concern.
What This Means:
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Dortmund are poised to reach the last 16 if they can maintain form in their final group fixture against Ulsan Hyundai.
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Mamelodi Sundowns, unbeaten but narrowly edged out, face Fluminense next, needing a win and likely results elsewhere to progress—but have undoubtedly impressed on the global stage.
This showdown served as a true testament to African growth in club football—Sundowns matching European might step for step.
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