Rain, Debuts, and Missed Chances: Dortmund and Fluminense Stalemate in Club World Cup

Rain Debuts and Missed Chances Dortmund and Fluminense Stalemate in Club World Cup

Rain, Debuts, and Missed Chances: Dortmund and Fluminense Stalemate in Club World Cup

So, let’s talk about one of the more anticipated fixtures of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup—Borussia Dortmund versus Fluminense. This match had everything building up to be a high-stakes, high-energy contest, but instead, we got a tense 0-0 draw that left a lot to be desired on the scoreboard, even though the atmosphere and storylines were buzzing.

The game was held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and although the noon kickoff wasn’t exactly ideal, over 34,000 fans still showed up—many of them supporting Fluminense, thanks to the area’s strong Brazilian community. And with rain falling, it added another unpredictable layer to the encounter.

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One of the biggest stories going into this game? Jobe Bellingham. Yes, the younger brother of Jude Bellingham. Jobe made his debut for Dortmund, stepping on in the 59th minute as a substitute for Pascal Gross. It’s a big stage to make your first appearance, and though he didn’t have a standout moment, the symbolism of his debut during a global tournament like this was huge. The Bellingham name continues to echo through world football.

The match itself? Not exactly a thriller, but definitely competitive. Fluminense showed more attacking intent, recording 14 shots to Dortmund’s seven. Their best chance came just before Jobe’s introduction—a left-footed effort from Agustín Canobbio that was expertly saved by Gregor Kobel. That save basically preserved the draw for Dortmund.

Dortmund, on the other hand, had more of the ball—over 54% possession—but couldn’t translate that into meaningful chances. The Germans looked more composed in buildup, but Fluminense were quicker and more aggressive in transition, always looking to pounce.

The draw leaves both teams with work to do. Fluminense will next face Ulsan Hyundai from South Korea, while Dortmund take on Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. Both of those games are on Saturday, and if either side wants to progress, they’ll need to turn this early point into momentum.

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