Dortmund and Fluminense Stalemate 0-0 in Rain-Soaked Club World Cup Clash at MetLife
Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund settled for a 0-0 draw on Tuesday in their Group F opener of the Club World Cup.
The match took place under rainy skies at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the crowd of 34,763 spectators was visibly in favor of the Brazilian side.
Fluminense Dominate in Attack
While Borussia Dortmund maintained a slight edge in possession at 54.5%, Fluminense appeared more dangerous throughout the match.
The Brazilian club led with 14 shot attempts compared to Dortmund’s 7 and managed five shots on target, whereas Dortmund had only three, all in the second half. The German side went the entire first half without registering a single shot on goal.
Fluminense’s best scoring opportunity came in the 58th minute when Agustín Canobbio unleashed a left-footed shot from the center of the box, only to be denied by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Debut for Jobe Bellingham, Gio Reyna Unused
Shortly after Canobbio’s effort, Dortmund introduced Jobe Bellingham in the 59th minute.
The younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham came on as a substitute for Pascal Gross, marking his debut for the club. American midfielder Gio Reyna was available on the bench but did not feature in the match.
Final Moments and Key Save
The match’s defining moment arrived in stoppage time. In the fourth minute of added time, Dortmund nearly snatched a win when defender Niklas Süle fired a powerful shot from outside the box toward the bottom right corner.
Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio made a crucial save to preserve the draw and secure a point for his team.
Player and Coach Reactions
After the match, Fluminense midfielder John Arias shared mixed emotions about the result.
“We had some chances, we were superior. We had all the tools to win. … We feel frustrated and happy at the same time. We showed our quality, our strength and we should have won today,” he said.
Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac commented on the match conditions, specifically the playing surface.
“The pitch is different turf, different grass than in Europe. In my opinion, the pitch was a little bit soft and not dry, but the ball was not traveling as fast as we are used to. This is my impression, my feeling. We don’t search for any excuses,” he stated.
Stats and Discipline
Along with their edge in shots, Fluminense also held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. Both goalkeepers were called into action, with Fábio making three saves and Kobel stopping five.
The match saw four yellow cards issued—two for each side. Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini and late substitute Yan Couto received cautions, while Martinelli and Nonato were booked for Fluminense.
Current Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
With the draw, both teams collected one point and are currently tied at the top of Group F. Dortmund will play next on Saturday afternoon against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati.
Fluminense will remain at MetLife Stadium for their next match, facing South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai on Saturday evening.
Support Favors Fluminense
Despite the game taking place in the United States, the crowd leaned heavily toward Fluminense. Brazilian fans turned up in numbers, waving flags and singing in support of their team, adding energy to an otherwise low-scoring encounter.
Path to Club World Cup Qualification
Borussia Dortmund earned their spot in the Club World Cup through a top-four finish in Germany’s Bundesliga. Fluminense secured their place as the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions.
The match offered a glimpse of international football styles clashing, with Fluminense’s flair and aggression contrasting against Dortmund’s possession-heavy play.
