Jobe Bellingham Scores as Dortmund Beat Sundowns

Borussia Dortmund fought back from an early deficit to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns 4–3 in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup encounter at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The victory places Niko Kovac’s side at the top of Group F and inches them closer to the knockout stage of the tournament.

Sundowns took a surprise lead in the 11th minute through Lucas Ribeiro, whose solo run and finish stunned the Dortmund defense. But the Bundesliga side quickly responded, with Felix. Nmecha drawing level in the 16th minute before Serhou. Guirassy put them ahead in the 34th. Dortmund’s early recovery set the tone for a first half full of intensity and momentum swings.

The highlight of the night came just before halftime when 19-year-old Jobe. Bellingham, making his first start of the tournament, scored his debut goal for Dortmund. The England youth international controlled a cross from Julian Brandt with his chest and struck a crisp volley past the Sundowns goalkeeper to make it 3–1. The crowd erupted as chants of “Hey Jobe” echoed around the stadium, drawing comparisons to his older brother Jude’s own rise on the same stage.

Dortmund extended their lead to 4–1 in the 59th minute following an unfortunate own goal by Khuliso Mudau, but the match was far from over. Sundowns rallied with determination, pulling one back through Iqraam Rayners just three minutes later. Then, in stoppage time, Lebo Mothiba added a third, creating a nervy finish for the German side.

Despite the late pressure, Dortmund held on for the win in hot midday conditions that visibly affected both teams. Coach Niko Kovac acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We had a hard battle against the heat and an opponent who could handle the conditions better.”

The victory brings Dortmund to four points from two matches, keeping them ahead in Group F ahead of their final group game against Ulsan on June 25. A win or even a draw could be enough to secure their passage to the knockout rounds.

For Jobe Bellingham, the performance marked a significant step forward in his development. Speaking to DAZN after the match, he said, “It’s a really nice bonus to score. I’m glad we won, but there’s a lot of things for me to improve on personally and for the team.” Signed from Sunderland this summer for £27.8 million, Bellingham’s arrival was met with intrigue, and his display against Sundowns justified the excitement.

While Dortmund’s defensive lapses in the second half will concern Kovac, their attacking firepower and Bellingham’s breakout moment were enough to secure all three points. With one match remaining in the group stage, Dortmund have momentum and one of the tournament’s emerging stars leading their charge.

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