AFCON 2025
Mamelodi Sundowns are the first African team to win a mstch at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America.
The South African club earned their first ever victory at a FIFA Club World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD in Orlando.
Sundowns lost to Kashima Antlers and Joenbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2016 edition of the tournament.
Ulsan came into the game hoping that having prior experience of the CWC would serve them well, having played in the tournament on two previous occasions in 2012 and 2020. However, it was Sundowns who started the game with better intention.
The 2016 CAF Champions League winners thought they had taken the lead after 29 minutes. Iqraam Rayners steered a corner in at the near
post.
Unfortunately, his goal was ruled out following a VAR review after the 29-year-old forward was ruled to have got the final touch with his hand.
Rayners eventually did give the Mamelodi Sundowns the lead just seven minutes later, as he raced onto a Lucas Ribeiro through ball, before finding the bottom-left corner.
The Korean champions almost equalise right just before the break. Seong-Beom Ko’s looping effort towards the top-right corner was cleared off the goal line by Divine Lunga.
The second half saw little action, with Ribeiro’s curling shot blocked brilliantly by an Ulsan defender. Sundowns dominated as the Tigers’ hopes of equalizing faded.
Mamelodi Sundowns withstood late pressure to secure a key win. The victory put Sundowns atop Group F after Dortmund and Fluminense drew. Ulsan now faces a tough challenge to advance from fourth place.
Ulsan HD have now lost eight of their last nine matches against foreign oppositions.
