Borussia Dortmund secured their passage to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai. Daniel Svensson’s first-half strike proved the difference in a match played under the scorching June sun in Cincinnati, Ohio. The German side’s second consecutive one-goal win, following their opening 4-3 triumph against Mamelodi Sundowns, saw them top Group F. Fluminense joined them in the last 16 after a goalless draw with Sundowns in a simultaneous match played in Miami. The relatively small crowd of just over 8,000 in Cincinnati included notable figures such as US Vice President JD Vance and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting an improvement from their previous outings. He once again highlighted the grueling conditions faced by the players, with temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and even higher inside the stadium. Kovac praised his players’ resilience in the face of such extreme heat, emphasizing the physical toll it takes even when just standing still. He stressed the importance of the upcoming rest day for recovery ahead of their next match.
The Bundesliga giants maintained a largely unchanged starting lineup, with only Karim Adeyemi and Julian Ryerson coming in. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Dortmund were unable to convert their superiority into a more comfortable margin of victory. Serhou Guirassy saw a good effort saved by Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo midway through the first half, and moments later, Jobe Bellingham volleyed just over the bar from an Adeyemi cross. The decisive moment arrived in the 36th minute when a defensive lapse by Ulsan allowed Bellingham to set up Svensson, who slotted home a low shot with his left foot.
Despite further opportunities for Guirassy, who missed a close-range header just before halftime, and a late chance for Yan Couto, Dortmund had to settle for a single-goal advantage. Ulsan briefly threatened in the second half, but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced a crucial save to deny Lee Jin-hyun. Dortmund will now travel to Atlanta for their last-16 tie on Tuesday, where they await the outcome of Group E to learn their opponent’s identity. Kovac acknowledged the increased stakes in the knockout rounds, emphasizing the prestige and financial rewards at play, and anticipating a higher level of competition.
Meanwhile, in Miami, Fluminense secured their progression with a 0-0 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns. The match, played in similarly challenging heat, saw chances for both sides but ultimately lacked a decisive moment. Fluminense’s Jhon Arias came close late in the first half, and German Cano threatened after the break. Despite enjoying a greater share of possession, Sundowns were unable to find the breakthrough they needed to advance, ending their Club World Cup campaign. The draw, witnessed by over 14,000 spectators, ensured that all four Brazilian teams competing in the tournament progressed to the knockout phase.
Ulsan Hyundai’s campaign ended with three defeats from three matches, while Mamelodi Sundowns, despite their exit, can take pride in their performances. The South African side’s elimination, however, confirmed that none of the four African teams participating in the tournament would feature in the last 16. The focus now shifts to the knockout stages, where Dortmund and Fluminense will join the other qualified teams in the battle for the Club World Cup title. The tournament continues to unfold against the backdrop of intense heat and humidity, testing the players’ physical and mental resilience as the stakes get progressively higher.
