Borussia Dortmund were held to a 0-0 draw by Brazilian side Fluminense in their opening Group F fixture at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, just outside New York City.
Fluminense, the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, looked the more dangerous side throughout and created several clear-cut chances. Jhon Arias forced Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into a fine save in the first half, while Matheus Martinelli went close with a low drive.
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The Rio giants, captained by 40-year-old Thiago Silva, maintained their threat on the counter and should have broken the deadlock midway through the second half, but Agustin Canobbio fired straight at Kobel. The Dortmund shot-stopper then denied Everaldo late on to preserve the draw.
“We saw it was a tough game, as we expected. Fluminense is a top team, very ball-possession-based,” Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac told DAZN. “They played very well. We had some difficulties, especially in the first half. In the second half, I would say it was better, but overall it was a lucky point for us.”
Fluminense’s performance underlines the growing competitiveness of Brazilian clubs in FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup format. Their domestic rivals have also impressed. Flamengo beat Esperance 2-0, Botafogo defeated Seattle Sounders 2-1, and Palmeiras drew 0-0 with Porto.
Dortmund offered little attacking threat until a late long-range effort from Niklas Süle. The match also saw a debut off the bench for 18-year-old English midfielder Jobe Bellingham, recently signed from Sunderland.
Kovac highlighted the difficult playing conditions: “The pitch isn’t so easy for us. I think the humidity was also a challenge for all the players, although the Brazilians are more accustomed to it. It was hard for us; we were running a lot, but overall we can live with a point.”
Dortmund’s next game will be against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who face South Korea’s Ulsan HD in the group’s other match later in Orlando.
