Borussia Dortmund were held to a 0-0 draw by Brazilian side Fluminense at the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday, as teams from Brazil continued their unbeaten run in the tournament.
The Group F clash, played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, saw Fluminense — Copa Libertadores champions and Rio de Janeiro giants — dominate for large spells against the UEFA Champions League finalists.
Fluminense looked the more threatening side throughout. In the first half, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was forced into a smart save to turn away a Jhon Arias effort, while Matheus Martinelli fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
Captain Thiago Silva, the 40-year-old former PSG and Chelsea defender, marshalled the Fluminense backline as the Brazilians continued to push forward. They missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the second half when Agustin Canobbio fired directly at Kobel during a counterattack. Kobel was again called into action later, making a fine low stop to deny Everaldo and preserve the draw.
Dortmund struggled to impose themselves for much of the match, managing only a few half-chances. Teenage midfielder Jobe Bellingham, recently signed from Sunderland and brother of Real Madrid star Jude, made his debut off the bench. Niklas Süle came closest for the Germans with a long-range strike late in the game.
Speaking after the match, Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač admitted his side were fortunate to come away with a point.
“We knew it would be a tough game, and Fluminense played very well. They’re a possession-based team and caused us problems, especially in the first half,” Kovač told DAZN. “In the second half we improved, but overall, we’re lucky with the point.”
Kovač also pointed to conditions as a challenge. “The pitch wasn’t easy, and the humidity was tough for the players — more so for us than for the Brazilians. But we’ll take the result.”
Fluminense’s confident performance underlines the strength of Brazilian clubs in the tournament. Their fierce rivals Flamengo defeated Tunisia’s Espérance 2-0 on Monday and will next face Chelsea. Palmeiras held Porto to a goalless draw in their opener, while Botafogo — reigning Brazilian and South American champions — beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 on Sunday.
Dortmund, who finished fourth in the Bundesliga, will look to secure their first win of the tournament when they face South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns next. Sundowns were set to play South Korea’s Ulsan HD later Tuesday in the other Group F match in Orlando.
