Bellingham Scores First Goal as Dortmund Edge Sundowns in Club World Cup Thriller
Bellingham- In a high-octane showdown under scorching heat at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Borussia Dortmund overcame an early setback to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Club World Cup. The match was marked by English midfielder Jobe Bellingham scoring his first goal for the German side, helping Dortmund climb to the top of Group F.
The 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, made his full debut for Borussia Dortmund in dramatic fashion. Signed from Sunderland earlier this month for €33 million, Bellingham showcased his midfield prowess by netting Dortmund’s third goal just before halftime — a critical moment in a see-saw encounter.
“It’s a really nice bonus to score,” Bellingham told DAZN post-match. “I’m glad we won, but there’s still a lot for me and the team to improve on.”
Mamelodi Sundowns shocked the crowd early, taking an 11th-minute lead through Lucas Ribeiro. The Brazilian dazzled with a solo effort, sprinting from his own half and finishing with composure past Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The goal appeared to validate Dortmund coach Niko Kovac’s pre-match warning that teams from warmer climates could benefit from the extreme heat.
However, Sundowns’ early advantage was short-lived. In the 21st minute, their goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a costly error, passing the ball straight to Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who calmly slotted home the equalizer.
Both sides continued to trade attacks in what quickly evolved into one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. Dortmund then took the lead as Julian Brandt’s perfect cross was met by a towering header from Serhou Guirassy, the Guinea international continuing his excellent run of form this season.
Bellingham’s Breakthrough Moment
Just minutes before halftime, Jobe Bellingham capped off a strong first-half performance with a composed finish. A deflected cross from the right wing was palmed away by Williams, but it fell kindly for Bellingham. The teenager chested the ball down expertly and drilled it into the net.
“I’ve practised that so many times — arriving late at the edge of the box,” Bellingham said. “At Sunderland, during and after training, I worked on that. To see it pay off is something I’m really proud of.”
Dortmund fans in the stands serenaded Bellingham with a twist on the Beatles classic “Hey Jude,” previously sung in tribute to his older brother. “I didn’t hear that, but it’s really nice,” he responded, smiling.
Dortmund increased their lead to 4-1 in the 64th minute when Kuliso Mudau, attempting to cut out a cross, unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.
Yet, the Sundowns, winners of the last eight South African league titles, refused to capitulate. Just three minutes later, Iqraam Rayners reduced the deficit. After heading against the post, he reacted swiftly to nod in the rebound and give the Sundowns a lifeline.
With time winding down, Lebo Mothiba added a third for the South African side in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a lapse in Dortmund’s defense. That goal set up a tense six minutes of added time, with Dortmund holding on desperately to preserve the win.
After the final whistle, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso praised his players for their spirited performance against one of Europe’s top clubs.
“The result is not what we wanted, but we played a wonderful game,” Cardoso said. “People need to understand the level of competition here. We stood tall against Borussia Dortmund and showed what African football can deliver.”
He added, “It was a hell of a match. I’m not happy with the result, but I’m very proud of the players and how they represented the club and the continent.”
With this victory, Borussia Dortmund now lead Group F heading into the next round of matches. Later on Saturday, Brazilian side Fluminense faced Ulsan HD of South Korea at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
As the Club World Cup continues to deliver thrilling contests, Jobe Bellingham has already made his mark — proving that the Bellingham name continues to rise in world football, one decisive goal at a time.
This article highlights Bellingham’s debut goal for Borussia Dortmund in their 4-3 win over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup, providing full match coverage, reactions, and insight into what this means for the young midfielder’s rising career.
Source- EWN
