Jobe Bellingham Shines as Dortmund Edge Past Ulsan in Club World Cup Clash
Borussia Dortmund secured a spot in the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup after a narrow 1-0 win over Ulsan Hyundai, and while the result may not jump off the page, the performance of young Englishman Jobe Bellingham certainly did. In just his second appearance for Dortmund since his move from Sunderland, Bellingham provided the crucial assist that decided the match and helped his side top Group F.
The game, held at the TQL Stadium, saw plenty of chances from Dortmund but just one moment of clinical execution. That came in the 36th minute when Bellingham, operating in an attacking midfield role, threaded a perfectly timed pass to Daniel Svensson, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. It was Bellingham's first assist for the club, and a glimpse of the promise the 19-year-old carries as he carves his path in Europe.
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Despite dominating the game—28 shots compared to Ulsan’s three—Dortmund were wasteful in front of goal. Serhou Guirassy had multiple opportunities to double the lead, registering seven shots and four on target, but couldn’t convert. Bellingham himself almost made it two with a clean volley just before halftime, but it sailed narrowly over the bar.
A real highlight was the performance of Ulsan’s goalkeeper, Jo Hyeon-woo. The South Korean international kept his team in the match with eight impressive saves, several of which came during a first-half onslaught from the German side. His fingertip save from Yan Couto’s late strike was world-class and kept the scoreline respectable.
Even though the result was a slim 1-0, Dortmund’s xG of 3.35 and 60% possession tell a story of dominance. But if they are to go far in this tournament, especially with possible matchups against the likes of Inter Milan or River Plate looming, finishing needs to be sharper.
Bellingham, who earned an average match rating of 8.72 and picked up a yellow card for a strong challenge early on, has quickly become a fan favorite. He was withdrawn just before the hour mark, but by then, his impact had already shaped the match.
Dortmund’s next challenge awaits on July 2nd in Atlanta, where they'll face the runner-up of Group E. With Bellingham growing in confidence and form, the German giants will hope to build on this momentum.
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