In Cincinnati’s 33°C heat, Borussia Dortmund secured a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD at TQL Stadium, clinching first place in Group F at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Daniel Svensson’s 36th-minute goal, assisted by Jobe Bellingham, proved decisive, though Dortmund’s lack of clinical finishing kept the match tense.
Dortmund started brightly, nearly scoring within two minutes. Karim Adeyemi freed Svensson on the left, but Serhou Guirassy’s effort lacked precision.
Guirassy squandered further chances, while Julian Ryerson’s 16th-minute long-range shot narrowly missed. A neat one-two between Guirassy and Bellingham was thwarted by Ulsan’s goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo Jo, who also denied Guirassy again with a stunning save.
Bellingham’s volley sailed just over, but the breakthrough came when Jobe set up Svensson to poke home from close range. Jo’s heroics kept Pascal Groß from doubling the lead before halftime.
Ulsan offered little in attack during the first half, but early in the second, Sang-Woo Kang tested Gregor Kobel with a sharp shot.
Rami Bensebaini headed wide from a set-piece, prompting Niko Kovač to bring on Maxi Beier, Julien Duranville, and Julian Brandt for Adeyemi, Felix Nmecha, and Bellingham.
Duranville made an immediate impact, forcing Jo into a near-post save and later combining with Beier, only for Jo to deny them again. Guirassy and Groß were replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka and Gio Reyna as Dortmund pushed for a second.
Despite dominating possession, Dortmund couldn’t kill the game off. Yan Couto’s low shot drew a full-stretch save from Jo, while Waldemar Anton and Chukwuemeka went close in four minutes of stoppage time. Ulsan’s resolute defending, led by Jo’s heroics, kept the scoreline tight, but they posed no real threat going forward.
Dortmund’s victory ensured they topped Group F with five points, advancing to the last 16. However, their wastefulness in front of goal will concern Kovač as they prepare for the knockout stage. Ulsan, already eliminated, exit the tournament with pride after a spirited display.
