Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 4-3 loss to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in their second FIFA Club World Cup clash on Saturday.
FIFA Club World Cup
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-4 Borussia Dortmund
Date: 21 June 2025
Venue: TQL Stadium
The Brazilians made one change from the win over Ulsan as Tashreeq Matthews was recalled against his former side as Arthur Sales dropped to the bench, while Dortmund handed a first start to new signing Jobe Bellingham in midfield.
Matthews nearly justified Cardoso's decision when he broke free down the left from a long-ball before cutting inside and seeing his powerful strike saved by Gregor Kobel in the opening five minutes.
Sundowns went on to take the lead five minutes later when Lucas Costa Ribeiro picked up the ball inside his own half and raced clear on goal before calmly slotting into the far corner for his first goal of the tournament.
However, Sundowns' lead did not last long as Dortmund were gifted a way back into the clash when Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gave the ball straight to Nmecha who fired into an empty net on 15 minutes.
Despite the hot conditions in Cincinnati, both sides continued to push for more goals as Matthews remained a big threat down the left flank while Williams was called upon to deny Serhou Guirassy in the six-yard area.
Scroll thorough the gallery above to see action from Sundowns' loss.
Guirassy would go on to get his goal ten minutes before the halftime break when he rose well at the far post to head home a cross from Julian Brandt to completed the turnaround for the Bundesliga giants.
There was enough time for Dortmund to get a third goal on the stroke of halftime when Williams punched Brandt's cross into the path of Bellingham, who controlled well before volleying into the back of the net.
The Bundesliga outfit seemingly ended any hopes of a Sundowns comeback when Khuliso Madua invertedly deflected the ball into his own net while trying to clear a cross from the left in the 59th minute.
Sundowns, however, did give themselves some hope three minutes later when Iqraam Rayners got his second goal of the tournament with neat header from close range after his initial header crashed against the upright.
Coach Miguel Cardoso made a triple change thereafter as Thapelo Morena, Jayden Adams and Sales replaced Mokoena, Matthews and Ribeiro for the final 20 minutes of the second period.
Sundowns did bag another goal in the 90th minutes as Kutlwano Letlhaku turned provider to play in Lebogang Mothiba, who took one touch before burying the ball home for his first Sundowns goals.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Cupido, Mudau, Lunga, Mokoena, Ribeiro, Allende, Matthews, Zwane, Rayners.
Subs: Onyango, Khoza, Lebusa, Modiba, Adams, Sales, Maema, Aubaas, Letlhaku, Mkhulise, Morena, Mdunyelwa, Mvala, Mothiba, Shalulile
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Couto, Anton, Sule, Bensebaini, Nmecha, Bellingham, Brandt, Gross, Svensson, Guirassy
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