Mamelodi Sundowns made a strong statement in their FIFA Club World Cup clash against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, showing dominance for large parts of the match despite a narrow 4-3 loss.
Coach Cardoso’s team played with great confidence, controlling the game’s rhythm and outplaying Dortmund in crucial areas. The South African side kept possession for 59% of the time and completed 511 passes—far more than Dortmund’s 315.
Many expected Sundowns to struggle against the European powerhouse, but they defied expectations with slick passing, tactical discipline, and high-intensity pressing right from the start.
Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham blamed the “extremely hot” weather for his team’s struggles to keep the ball during the post-match press conference.
“The conditions were tough for us as a European team,” Bellingham said. “Sundowns are clearly used to that climate. We’ll need to adapt as the tournament goes on. It’s part of the challenge. Eventually, we improved as the game progressed and can build on that.”
His remarks underline how much the local conditions benefited the Sundowns players, who are more accustomed to the heat, pushing Dortmund to their limits in an intense group-stage battle.
With four points from two matches, Borussia Dortmund leads Group F as they prepare to face South Korea’s Ulsan HD on Wednesday, 25 June at 9 PM SA time. Sundowns, sitting third with three points, must beat Brazilian side Fluminense at the Hard Rock Stadium to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Though Sundowns lost, their fearless performance earned them respect on the global stage. Their aggressive, possession-based style proved they belong among football’s elite, setting up an exciting and crucial showdown with Fluminense—a chance to showcase African club football to the world.
