Cincinnati, June 21, 2025 – Borussia Dortmund edged Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at TQL Stadium, overcoming brutal heat and a late South African comeback to go top of the group.

The match exploded into life early, with Sundowns striking first through Lucas Ribeiro Costa in the 11th minute. Dortmund replied quickly via Felix Nmecha before adding two more goals through Serhou Guirassy and debutant Jobe Bellingham to go 3-1 up by halftime.

An own goal from Khuliso Mudau in the 59th minute looked to seal the win for the Germans, but Sundowns refused to fold. Iqraam Rayners and substitute Lebo Mothiba found the net in the second half, narrowing the gap to just one goal and setting up a nervy finale.

Despite the Sundowns resurgence, Dortmund held firm, albeit with worrying signs in defence. On a scorching day with temperatures above 30°C (86°F), BVB resorted to cooling strategies including umbrellas and ice tubs to combat the conditions.

Key Performers:

• Jobe Bellingham: Scored on his full debut and earned Man of the Match.
• Felix Nmecha: Controlled midfield and netted Dortmund’s first.
• Sundowns’ attack: Showed quality and resilience with goals from Ribeiro, Rayners, and Mothiba.

Group F Outlook:

Dortmund now lead the group with four points, while Sundowns, on three, still have a chance to qualify when they face Fluminense in their final group game.

Seattle, June 21, 2025 – Inter Milan needed every bit of grit, class, and patience to grind out a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in a dramatic FIFA Club World Cup encounter at Lumen Field.

The Serie A giants were stunned early by Urawa’s disciplined defensive setup and quick transitions, with Ryoma Watanabe giving the Japanese side a shock lead in the 11th minute. His close-range finish—Urawa’s first-ever goal against European opposition in the tournament—sent waves through the crowd and forced Inter to chase the game.

Despite dominating possession (peaking at over 85% in the first half), Inter struggled to crack Urawa’s compact low block. Lautaro Martínez hit the crossbar in the 22nd minute and had a goal ruled out for offside just after halftime.

But the pressure finally paid off in the 78th minute when Martínez made amends with a stunning overhead volley from a Nicolò Barella corner. That equaliser opened the floodgates, and Inter pushed forward with even greater urgency.

In stoppage time, 19-year-old Valentin Carboni delivered the winning blow, reacting quickly to a rebounded shot and slotting home from inside the box. The goal capped off Inter’s determined comeback and secured their first win of the tournament.

Tactical Analysis

Inter bossed the midfield through Barella and Calhanoglu but were often too static in the final third until Martínez and Carboni added a more direct threat. Barella, who assisted the equaliser and completed over 90% of his passes, was named Man of the Match for his playmaking and relentless energy.

Urawa, for their part, executed their game plan nearly to perfection—defending deep, countering quickly, and remaining compact. However, fatigue and Inter’s quality proved too much in the final minutes.

Group Implications

The result puts Inter on four points in Group E, setting up a pivotal clash with River Plate in their final group-stage game. Urawa Red Diamonds, now eliminated after back-to-back losses, will exit the tournament with pride, having made history with their first-ever goal against a European side at the Club World Cup.

Final Thoughts

It wasn’t pretty, but Inter Milan showed resilience and depth. With their sights now set on a top-of-the-table decider, Simone Inzaghi’s men will know that such late escapes might not come easy against stronger foes.

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Benfica sent a strong message in the FIFA Club World Cup with a resounding 6–0 win over Auckland City in a Group C encounter on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Orlando. Despite a lengthy weather delay caused by severe thunderstorms, the Portuguese side dominated throughout, putting on a ruthless second-half display to seal the emphatic result.

First Half: Di María Opens the Floodgates

The first half saw Benfica control possession but struggle to break down a compact Auckland City defense. Their persistence paid off in stoppage time when Ángel Di María converted a penalty to give the Portuguese giants a 1–0 lead.

Moments later, lightning in the area forced officials to suspend the match for nearly two hours. Fans were evacuated from the stands as heavy rain and storm conditions swept through the area.

Second Half: Benfica Turn Up the Heat

When play resumed, Benfica wasted no time asserting their dominance. New signing Vangelis Pavlidis netted shortly after the restart, assisted by Andreas Schjelderup.

However, not all the action was on the pitch. Midfielder Orkun Kökçü visibly clashed with manager Bruno Lage after being substituted—a fiery exchange that briefly shifted attention from the action.

Benfica continued to pile on the goals, with Renato Sanches adding his name to the scoresheet. Di María converted a second penalty to make it 4–0, before further strikes from João Neves and Álvaro Fernández Barreiro completed the rout.

Key Takeaways

Di María’s Class: The veteran playmaker was instrumental, scoring twice from the spot and orchestrating attacks throughout.

Squad Depth on Display: Benfica made several changes, yet maintained intensity and creativity across the pitch.

Storm Delay Handled Well: Despite the long delay, the players returned focused, and the match finished without further incident.

Kökçü Outburst: The midfielder’s heated argument with Lage could hint at internal friction, but did not affect the final outcome.

What’s Next

The win sends Benfica to the top of Group C with a commanding goal difference. With one match remaining, the Portuguese side look well-positioned to advance to the knockout stage. Auckland City, meanwhile, face early elimination after a second heavy defeat.

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