By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 22, 2025 01:52 AM • 91 views
In a sweltering Saturday showdown that tested both stamina and spirit, Borussia Dortmund clung to a nervy 4-3 victory over a dogged Mamelodi Sundowns side in their Club World Cup Group F clash, played under the unforgiving midday sun in Cincinnati.
With temperatures soaring above 30°C, the Bundesliga giants were pushed to the edge by the reigning South African champions, who matched them stride for stride in an intense, end-to-end affair. Dortmund's technical prowess may have given them the edge on the scoreboard, but it was grit, rather than guile, that ultimately sealed the win in what turned into a survival test as much as a football match.
"We had a hard battle against the heat and an opponent who could handle the conditions better," Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac admitted post-match, visibly drained yet relieved. "This is a tournament we want to compete in and try to win, but the conditions are very hard for all teams."
Dortmund struck early, capitalizing on slick ball movement before the heat fully settled in. But Sundowns, far from overawed by their European counterparts, fought back with enterprise and urgency, exploiting defensive gaps with sharp counterattacks and set-piece precision. At 3-3 heading into the final 10 minutes, the tie seemed destined for a dramatic conclusion.
And it delivered. A late Dortmund goal — bundled in from close range following a chaotic corner — proved decisive, but it failed to overshadow the South African side's fearless performance.
"I think it was clear we pushed the level of the game to the maximum," Sundowns boss Miguel Cardoso said. "We played an open game against such a strong opponent. I'm very proud of the resilience we showed."
For Dortmund, the victory offers a vital foothold in a tournament where Europe's elite have stumbled early. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea both suffered shock defeats this week, sending ripples through the competition and raising questions about whether the balance of power is slowly shifting. Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy and Jobe Bellingham scored for the Bundesliga club, who also profited from an own goal. Lucas Ribeiro had given Sundowns the lead while Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba scored in the second half as they looked to rally from 4-1 down in a competitive game played in blazing hot conditions with a mid-day kickoff.
Saturday's narrow escape won't silence those murmurs, but for now, Dortmund lives to fight another day — with three points secured and a sobering taste of just how punishing the Club World Cup's global stage can be.
