Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first loss at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 losing 4-3 to Germany’s Borussia Dortmund at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, USA, in a Group F match. Sundowns were left to ruin the costly mistakes by the usually reliable Ronwen Williams, which saw the Germans came from behind to win the match. Lucas Ribeiro put Masandawana in the lead early in the match, but their joy was short-lived as the German champions equalised through Lucas Nmecha, following a mistake by Williams. Sundowns missed several opportunities to register a second goal, before the Germans took the lead on the 34th minute through Serhou Guirassy, to make it 2-1.
Newly signed Jobe Bellingham opened his scoring account, when he volleyed the ball just inside the box, following a poor clearing by Williams, to put the score at 3-1 before halftime. Sundwons came out blazing early in the second half but failed to convert all their chances.Dortmond took advantage and pressured the Betway Premiership champions and were rewarded when Khuliso Mudau put the ball into his own net to give the Germans a 4-1 lead.
Hardly three minutes later, Iqraam Rayners registered Sundowns second goal, and substitute Lebo Mothiba grabbed a third in the 90th minute.The Germans however managed to protect their lead during the six minutes of stoppage time, to register their first win of the tournament, which guaranteed them a second spot in the group. Despite the loss, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso heaped praise at the players.
“Today we pushed the level of the game to the maximum, to the highest level and we could play an open game with such a strong opponent. It is important that people understand who Borussia Dortmund is so that after they can highlight the quality of the game that was played today from Sundowns part. Yes, we are not happy of cause, but despite that, we are proud. I am very proud of the level of football that the players played. I’m very proud of the resilience they had throughout the game, so that we could finish the game playing for a result, we wanted to continue for the victory.But I’m so proud of my players,” said Cardoso.
Sundowns, who are in the third position in Group F will meet Brazilian side Fluminense on Wednesday, who currently tops the group after they beat Ulsan HD from South Korea 4-2.
