Dortmund edge Sundowns in enthralling seven-goal thriller

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Jun 21, 2025. 20:08

Borussia Dortmund edged out Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in an entertaining 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group F match played at the TQL Stadium on Saturday.

As a result, the German giants climbed to the top of the Group F standings and they wrap up their group stage campaign with a clash with Ulsan HD of South Korea on June 25. The South African champions, on the other hand, slipped down to the second spot and they will lock horns with Brazil’s Fluminense on June 25.

Sundowns got off to the perfect start as they took a 1-0 lead just 11 minutes into the match after former Dortmund academy Tashreeq Matthews set up Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who beat goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, much to the delight of the Masandawana fans.

However, the lead only lasted for four minutes as Ronwen Williams made a costly mistake. The accomplished goalkeeper gave away possession and Felix Nmecha scored to make it 1-1 and Serhou Guirassy handed Dortmund a 2-1 lead in the 34th minute after being set up by Julian Brandt.

The goals unsettled the Sundowns defence and they conceded again on the stroke of half-time. This time Williams punched away a cross and Jobe Bellingham hit the back of the net with a low shot to extend Dortmund’s lead and Der BVB were 3-1 up during the half-time break.

Another enthralling half followed as Dortmund extended their lead a minute before the hour-mark. A cross from Daniel Svensson was turned home by Khuliso Mudau, who netted an own-goal to make it 4-1 to Der BVB, with Masandawana’s defence being punished once again.

However, Sundowns fought back and they pulled one back through Iqraam Rayners, who netted from close range to make it 4-2 in the 62nd minute. Two substitutes then combined to reduce the lead, as Lebo Mothiba netted after being set-up by Kutlwano Letlhaku in the 90th minute, but Dortmund held on to secure a 4-2 win.

Sundowns (1) 3 (Ribeiro 11′, Rayners 62′, Mothiba 90′)

Dortmund (3) 4 Nmecha 16′, Guirassy 34′, Bellingham 45′, Mudau 59′)

Sundowns: Williams; Lunga, Cupido, Kekana, Mudau; Allende, Mokoena (Sales 69′); Zwane (Letlhaku 86′), Ribeiro (Morena 69′), Matthews (Adams 69′); Rayners (Mothiba 77′).

Dortmund: Kobel; Couto, Bensebaini, Anton, Süle (Ryerson 83′), Svensson; Bellingham (Beier 83′), Grob, Nmecha (Sabitzer 62′); Brandt (Chukwuemeka 62′), Guirassy (Adeyemi 90’+2).