By Mohamed Islam Bouteraa

Bundesliga Giants Hold Breath as South Africa’s Finest Push Them to the Limit

CINCINNATI – Forget cagey tournament football. 

Borussia Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns served up a white-knuckle, end-to-end classic under the Ohio sun, with Dortmund just edging a seven-goal thriller 4-3 to grab control of Group F. For Sundowns? Agony. But also immense pride after proving they can trade blows with Europe’s elite.

First Half Fireworks: Stunners, Slip-Ups & a Teenage Dream

Sundowns fans erupted just 11 minutes in. Brazilian magician Lucas Ribeiro Costa picked the ball up in midfield, weaved through Dortmund’s defense like it was training cones, and slotted coolly past Gregor Kobel. Pure class. 

*1-0 to the African champions!*

But the lead lasted barely five minutes. A nightmare moment for Sundowns’ usually reliable keeper Ronwen Williams saw him spill a routine catch, gifting Felix Nmecha the simplest of equalizers. Dortmund then turned the screw: Towering striker Serhou Guirassy powered home a pinpoint cross with a thunderous header (34’), before 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham – yes, Jude’s brother – marked his full debut with a slick finish right before halftime. 3-1 Dortmund. 

Game over? Not even close.

Second Half Rollercoaster: Own Goal, Fightback & Nail-Biting Finish

When Khuliso Mudau helplessly deflected a cross into his own net just before the hour (59’), it looked done. 4-1 Dortmund. Time for the subs? Nope. Sundowns showed the heart of champions. Iqraam Rayners nodded in beautifully minutes later (62’), and as the clock hit 90, Lebo Mothiba smashed home on a lightning counter to send the Sundowns faithful into delirium. 4-3!Cue utter chaos. Sundowns threw everything forward. Shots flew, tackles crunched, Dortmund hearts pounded. Kobel made a crucial save, a last-ditch block denied an equalizer... and finally, the whistle blew. Dortmund survived. Just.

Voices from the Madness:

• Niko Kovač (Dortmund Coach), wiping his brow: "Wow. Credit to Sundowns – they dominated South Africa, and tonight they showed exactly why. That wasn't just fight, that was top quality. We found a way, but they pushed us to the absolute edge."
• Jobe Bellingham, debut goal-scorer: "What a game! Crazy atmosphere, going behind early... but the lads showed character. So proud to get my first goal on the big stage. Sundowns? Massive respect. They never stopped."
• Miguel Cardoso (Sundowns Coach), defiant: "Heartbreak? Yes. But shame? Never. We showed the world we belong here. The belief, the fight, the quality against one of Europe's best... I'm bursting with pride. This is just the start for us."

What This Means:

Dortmund top Group F (4 points) and are almost through. Sundowns (3 points) are very much alive for the knockouts. Their final group games just became must-watch TV.

The Final Whistle:

On a sweltering Cincy afternoon, football won. We saw African courage light up the global stage. We saw German giants rattled but resilient. We saw seven goals, late drama, and proof that the magic of the Club World Cup is alive and kicking. 

Sundowns left everything on the pitch, heads held high. Dortmund breathed a huge sigh of relief. What. A. Game.