Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after a goalless draw against a Brazilian Serie A side at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon.
The match, played in sweltering heat with a 15:00 kickoff, saw Sundowns needing a victory to advance past their opponents, who fielded their strongest lineup, minus veteran defender Thiago Silva, in the Group F finale.
In a simultaneous Group F match, Borussia Dortmund secured a 1-0 win over K League’s Ulsan, who exited the tournament with three losses.
The Sundowns game was marked by missed opportunities, with Tashreeq Matthews and the Brazilians’ Jhon Arias both failing to capitalize on promising chances in the first half.
As Renato Gaucho noted before the match, it was a tactical chess match, with both teams vying for possession to wear each other down in the humid conditions. Sundowns dominated possession but couldn’t sufficiently challenge goalkeeper Fábio.
The South African side finished third in the group with four points, one behind the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, leaving the competition with lingering “what ifs.”
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