Jobe Bellingham scored on his first begin for Borussia Dortmund as Niko Kovac’s males got here from behind to beat Mamelodi Sundowns and transfer into a powerful place in Group F on the Membership World Cup.
Bellingham fired dwelling in first-half injury-time to increase Dortmund’s result in 3-1 after objectives from Felix Nmecha, by way of a horrendous mistake from Mamelodi goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy had cancelled out a surprise strike from Lucas Ribeiro.
The objectives stored flowing in an entertaining recreation with an personal objective from Khuliso Mudau placing Dortmund additional forward earlier than Iqraam Rayners diminished the arrears as soon as once more. Lebo Mothiba made it 4-3 late on however Mamelodi couldn’t discover an equaliser.
The win strikes Dortmund to the highest of the pool with 4 factors forward of tonight’s recreation between Fluminense and Ulsan, though it was removed from routine for Niko Kovac’s males towards recreation opposition.
The searing warmth in Cincinnati might have postpone many locals with solely a sparse crowd inside TQL Stadium however people who did end up had been handled to a gem of a objective contained in the opening 11 minutes.
The South African aspect, who beat Ulsan of their opening recreation in america, had already come shut by way of Tashreeq Matthews – Gregor Kobel parrying his shot – when Ribeiro struck.
Matthews picked out the quantity 10 in midfield and Ribeiro immediately turned Niklas Sule earlier than working in direction of objective. He skipped previous Waldemar Anton to go clear after which calmly slotted previous Kobel together with his left foot.
10′ @Masandawana take the lead by way of Ribeiro!
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Williams blunder provides Dortmund a lifeline
Dortmund had been rocking however had been handed a route again into the sport 5 minutes later.
Below little stress, Williams tried a cross out from the again however received all of it improper and the ball fell to Nmecha and he fired into the empty internet from 10 yards.
Williams redeemed himself partially with a superb close-range save to disclaim Guirassy in a frantic opening 20 minutes.
16′ Nmecha ranges it for @BVB — recreation on!
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Guirassy and Bellingham flip recreation round
If the equaliser wasn’t irritating sufficient for Mamelodi, they had been the architects of their very own downfall for Dortmund’s second as effectively.
Teboho Mokoena dallied on the ball in his personal half and was dispossessed by Pascal Gross, who performed in Julian Brandt down the left. Brandt hung up a cross to the far publish the place Guirassy rose highest to plant a header into the web.
Dortmund had lastly gained a modicum of management and it was no shock once they added a 3rd on the stroke of half-time.
Brandt was the creator as soon as once more together with his low cross parried into the air by Williams. Bellingham, signed from Sunderland previous to the event, took the ball neatly on his chest earlier than volleying dwelling.
45′ JOOOOOOBE!@bvb double their lead simply earlier than the break!
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— DAZN Soccer (@DAZNFootball) June 21, 2025
Plucky Sundowns maintain going
Mokoena got here shut with a superb free-kick that Kobel finger-tipped over earlier than Mamelodi’s defensive frailties returned to hang-out them as soon as once more after 59 minutes.
Bellingham, who had a hand in two objectives however was in any other case largely nameless, slipped the ball to Daniel Svensson down the left and his low cross supposed for Guirassy hit Mudau and flew in.
Mamelodi refused to surrender and netted their second three minutes later. Mokoena’s free-kick was headed on to the publish by Rayners and the striker was quickest to react to the rebound by nodding previous Kobel.
Dortmund got here near a fifth with Williams saving effectively to maintain out Ramy Bensebaini’s header earlier than Mothiba arrange a grandstand end.
Kutlwano Lethlaku performed within the substitute and he completed expertly.
Mamelodi pushed for a leveller within the six minutes of stoppage time however by no means actually examined Kobel as Dortmund held on.