Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense battled to a goalless stalemate in their Group F fixture at the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday, as South American teams continued their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The match, held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near New York City, saw the Brazilian side emerge as the more threatening team for much of the game.
Fluminense, one of Brazil’s most storied clubs and 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, tested Dortmund early. Jhon Arias forced a smart save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the first half, while Matheus Martinelli came close with a low drive that whistled past the post.
With veteran defender Thiago Silva marshalling the team from the back, Fluminense consistently posed problems for the Bundesliga side on the counterattack.
A swift second-half break offered Fluminense their best chance, but Agustin Canobbio failed to capitalize, hitting his shot straight at Kobel. The Dortmund goalkeeper would later deny Everaldo with a diving stop, ensuring the Germans escaped with a point.
“It was a tough game, as we expected,” Dortmund manager Niko Kovac told DAZN after the match. “Fluminense is a top team, very ball-possession-based. They played very good. We had some difficulties, especially in the first half. In the second half, I would say it was better, but overall it was a lucky point for us.”
Kovac’s side, who finished fourth in the Bundesliga, struggled to create meaningful chances until late in the game, when a speculative long-range effort from defender Niklas Suele provided a rare moment of attacking threat.
The match also marked the debut of 18-year-old English midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who came on as a substitute following his summer transfer from Sunderland.
Dortmund’s coach attributed some of his team’s challenges to environmental factors. “The pitch isn’t so easy for us. I think the humidity also wasn’t so easy for all the players, although the Brazilians are more used to it,” said Kovac. “It was hard for us, we were running a lot, but overall we can live with a point.”
Fluminense’s performance reinforced the competitive edge of Brazilian clubs in this year’s expanded Club World Cup. Their compatriots Flamengo opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Tunisia’s Esperance and will next face Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras held Porto to a 0-0 draw in their opener, and reigning Brazilian and South American champions Botafogo edged past Seattle Sounders 2-1 on Sunday.
Looking ahead, Dortmund will seek their first win of the tournament when they face South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The Sundowns were set to face Ulsan HD of South Korea in the day’s other Group F encounter in Orlando.
What you should know
Despite a strong showing from Fluminense, the match ended without goals, keeping Brazil’s unbeaten record intact at the tournament. Dortmund, adjusting to humid conditions and a tough opponent, will look for a better result in their next outing against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
