Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first win at the FIFA Club World Cup after defeating South Korean outfit Ulsan HD 1-0 in Orlando.
FIFA Club World Cup
Result: Ulsan HD 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 18 June 2025
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium
Brazilians coach Miguel Cardoso handed a start to Themba Zwane, who was left out of the starting line-ups for the CAF Champions League final last month while Keanu Cupido got a start in defence alongside Grant Kekana.
The beginning of the game was delayed by an hour due to the testing weather conditions in Orlando, with the first half eventually getting underway at 01h00 (South African time).
The game got off to a lively start for both sides, as Sundowns' Arthur Sales saw his close-range strike blocked in the box before Erick Farias fired just over the crossbar at the other end inside the opening 10 minutes.
It was an even contest for most of the first period, but the Brazilians found the back of the net in the 29th minute when the lively Iqraam Rayners turned home Lucas Costa Ribeiro's corner at the near post, however the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled the goal out for a handball.
However, Rayners was not to be denied six minutes later as the Bafana Bafana forward latched onto Ribeiro's through-ball before calmly slotting into the far corner with a composed finish.
Sundowns thought they had doubled the lead just before the break when Rayners and Ribeiro combined to good effect, but the celebrations were cut short when the offside flag was raised.
Ulsan upped the tempo as they went in search of an equaliser and they did go close just after the hour mark through Jung Woo-Young in the box, but Divine Lunga produced a superb last-ditch tackle to deny the attacker.
Cardoso opted for his first Sundowns change with just under 30 minutes left on the clock as Tashreeq Matthews replaced Sales, who had been quite ineffective in the second period while the team was trying to hold possession.
The South Korean side continued pushing for the equaliser and they were nearly gifted a goal after Ronwen Williams spilled a routine cross in the box, however the goalkeeper was able to recover before the Ulsan attackers could pounce.
Cardoso's charges were able to see out the closing stages to secure their first-ever win at the tournament, which also took the side to top of Group F.
Sundowns will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Dortmund.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Cupido, Lunga, Mokoena, Allende, Zwane, Sales, Rayners, Ribeiro
Subs: Onyango, Khoza, Modiba, Adams, Maema, Aubaas, Letlhaku, Matthews, Mkhulise, Pieterse, Mndunyelwa, Mvala, Mothiba, Shalulile
