Jobe Bellingham netted his first goal for Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday, helping his side move to the top of Group F.
The 18-year-old English midfielder, who joined Dortmund this month from Sunderland—following in the footsteps of his older brother Jude—was handed his first start at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
In sweltering conditions, South Africa’s Sundowns stunned Dortmund with an early lead, as Lucas Ribeiro scored a superb solo effort in the 11th minute, charging from his own half before beating Gregor Kobel.
However, Ronwen Williams gifted Dortmund an equaliser minutes later with a misplaced pass that fell to Felix Nmecha, who slotted home with ease.
The match remained high-tempo and end-to-end, with both goalkeepers making key saves, before Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund the lead with a powerful header from Julian Brandt’s cross—his latest in a strong scoring season.
Just before the break, Bellingham added Dortmund’s third. Williams parried a cross into his path, and the midfielder controlled it on his chest before firing a low strike into the net.
“I’ve practised that so many times—arriving late at the edge of the box,” said Bellingham. “At Sunderland and as a kid, it was something I worked on during and after training, so I’m really proud of it.”
Dortmund fans, nostalgic for Jude Bellingham’s time at the club, serenaded Jobe with a reworked version of the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” “I didn’t hear it, but that’s really nice,” he said with a smile.
Dortmund’s fourth came when Khuliso Mudau turned the ball into his own net while trying to intercept a cross. But Iqraam Rayners, who had scored in Sundowns’ opening win against Ulsan HD, hit back immediately—heading against the post and nodding in the rebound.
Lebo Mothiba then added a third for Sundowns in the 90th minute, forcing Dortmund to defend nervously through six minutes of added time before sealing the win.
Despite the loss, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso praised his players: “The result is not what we wanted, but it was a fantastic performance. Against a team of Dortmund’s calibre, the boys worked wonderfully. I’m not happy—but very proud.”
Later Saturday, Fluminense were set to face Ulsan HD in the other Group F encounter at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.
AFP
