Bellingham scores first Dortmund goal in Club World Cup thriller against Sundowns

Jobe Bellingham opened his goal account for Borussia Dortmund in an electrifying 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday.

The English youngster, who recently followed in the footsteps of his brother Jude Bellingham by joining the German giants, made his first start for the club in the intense heat of Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, runners-up in the CAF Champions League, stunned the German side early when Lucas Ribeiro struck a brilliant solo effort in the 11th minute, racing from his own half to beat Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

However, Dortmund responded swiftly as Felix Nmecha capitalised on a costly error from Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to equalise. Serhou Guirassy then put Dortmund ahead, heading home a Julian Brandt cross after a high-pressing move.

Just before halftime, Jobe Bellingham made it 3-1, reacting quickest after Williams parried a cross into his path, chesting the ball down before drilling it into the net — a proud moment for the 18-year-old, whose brother Jude made the same leap to stardom with Dortmund five years ago.

Dortmund added a fourth goal when Sundowns’ Kuliso Mudau inadvertently turned a cross into his own net. Refusing to fold, Sundowns fought back as Iqraam Rayners pulled one back after scoring from a rebound off the post. In the 90th minute, Lebo Mothiba further reduced the deficit, forcing Dortmund to endure a nervy six minutes of stoppage time before securing the hard-fought victory.

The win pushes Dortmund to the top of Group F, while Sundowns, despite their spirited performance, will now need a result in their final group match. Later that evening, Fluminense were scheduled to face Ulsan HD in the other Group F encounter at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.