By Mohamed Islam Bouteraa

Fluminense opened their FIFA Club World Cup Group F campaign with a showing that promised much, but left the field agitated having been frustrated 0-0 by Borussia Dortmund. 

Even though they controlled large chunks of the game and crafted better scoring chances, the Brazilian club could not break the tight Dortmund defense and keeper Gregor Kobel and thus made sure that all four Brazilian clubs did not lose on the opening day.

A Tale of Missed Opportunities

As soon as the match was underway, Fluminense set a frantic tempo, mounting pressure to overwhelming and disrupting Dortmund's defense. Tricolor's star player, Jhon Arias, was a threat on the wings, making two early saves of Kobel and keeping the German defense nervous for fear. Hércules, Matheus Martinelli, and Nonato, the midfielders of the game, took control with panache and precision, cutting off Dortmund's rhythm and limiting the roles of stars like Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer. 

The sole half-mission of Dortmund in the opening half was made available to Serhou Guirassy, who failed to get a touch on Karim Adeyemi's threatening cross. Fluminense were not tardy in retaliating, and Hércules came agonizingly close to scoring the opening goal with a shot at the feet. 

The Brazilian side persisted in their pressure as Martinelli curled a shot just wide of the goal and Arias once more tried Kobel before half-time.

Second Half: Fluminense Push, Dortmund Hold

Second half witnessed Fluminense maintaining their intent of attack.
Agustín Canobbio's tame attempt was comfortably gathered by Kobel, although actual drama only arrived after the clock. Everaldo escaped down a flash counter but decided to cut inside for Canobbio, whose attempt was smothered by Dortmund goalkeeper.
Within two minutes, however, Everaldo was once again foiled by Kobel in a shot that had the ball rammed through the net after being cleared from under the goalkeeper, only for it to be ruled offside in a contentious decision.
Dortmund, however, were not able to find their rhythm even after adding new signing Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha. Their greatest late chance fell to Niklas Süle, whose stoppage-time effort was comfortably saved by Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio. What This Means for Fluminense

As frustrating as Fluminense supporters will be with the spurned opportunities and scored but disallowed goal, the performance against the runners-up of the 2024 UEFA Champions League should be uplifting going into their last matches against Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns. The demonstration of defensive solidity and attacking finesse delivered by the team indicates that Renato Gaúcho's squad has the calibre to mount a challenge in this revamped Club World Cup format.

Final Whistle

The 0-0 result tells only half the story. Fluminense played superior football to their European opponents for most of the match, but a double save of world-class standard from Kobel and some lacking quality finishing left them needing to be content with the solitary point. Both sets of teams are well-positioned as the group stage wears on; though it is Fluminense who are going to rue an lost opportunity. 

Man of the Match: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund) – for his game-winning intervention in keeping Dortmund in the contest with a chain of crucial saves. 

Next: Fluminense face Ulsan HD, while Dortmund host Mamelodi Sundowns in their subsequent Group F encounters.