The Mamelodi Sundowns, led by Miguel Cardoso, pushed Borussia Dortmund to their limits. Despite the German team’s eventual 4-3 win, the Sundowns’ performance was a testament to their skills. The match showed that even the best teams need to bring intensity from start to finish.
Early on, the Sundowns took the lead with a goal from Lucas Ribeiro, who sprinted past the Dortmund defense and scored against Kobel. However, the tie was short-lived, as Rownen Williams made a crucial error, giving Nmecha an easy goal. The mistake seemed to wake up the Dortmund team, who then picked up their pace and started to dominate the game.
As the match progressed, Dortmund’s quality began to shine through. They scored two more goals, one from Guirassy and another from Jobe Bellingham, who made his debut for the team. The Sundowns, however, refused to give up. Despite being down, they continued to push forward, and their efforts paid off when Mothiba scored at the 90-minute mark, making the final score 4-3 in favor of Dortmund.
The Sundowns’ comeback attempt was notable, especially considering the significant difference in team quality. They exploited Dortmund’s weaknesses, brought intensity and speed, and capitalized on mistakes. In the last 25 minutes, they even outperformed the German team. Niko Kovac, Dortmund’s coach, has his work cut out for him, as his team’s performance was disappointing, despite their win. The Sundowns, on the other hand, can hold their heads high, knowing they gave it their all against a stronger opponent.
Key Moments
- Lucas Ribeiro scores for Mamelodi Sundowns
- Rownen Williams’ error gives Nmecha an easy goal for Dortmund
- Guirassy and Jobe Bellingham score for Dortmund
- Mothiba scores for Sundowns at the 90-minute mark
Post-Match Reactions
The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams giving it their all. While Dortmund’s win was expected, the Sundowns’ performance was a pleasant surprise. As one fan noted on Twitter, “Abriu-se uma avenida, e Lucas Ribeiro aproveitou” (The avenue opened, and Lucas Ribeiro took advantage), highlighting the Sundowns’ opportune goal. Another fan tweeted, “Jobe Bellingham estreou-se a marcar pelo Dortmund” (Jobe Bellingham scored his debut goal for Dortmund), showing the excitement around the young player’s performance.