FIFA Club World Cup: Borussia Dortmund advanced to the second round of the Club World Cup on Wednesday after defeating Ulsan 1-0 thanks to a goal from Daniel Svensson in the 36th minute.
Jobe Bellingham gained possession in the 36th minute as Ulsan’s defense mishandled a loose pass close to goal. Svensson calmly finished a precise cross from Bellingham that was around ten yards past goalie Jo Hyeon-woo.
With seven points, Dortmund led Group F, two ahead of Fluminese, who came in second after a 0-0 tie with Mamelodi Sundowns. Last was Uslan, who went 0-3.
US Vice President JD Vance was among the 8,239 spectators who filled TQL Stadium’s 26,000 seats despite the intense heat (33°C) and a citywide advisory.
Dortmund, who were in control the entire time, outshot Ulsan 28–3, and in the 78th minute, American midfielder Gio Reyna made his tournament debut. FIFA gave Club World Cup duty precedence over Reyna’s inclusion in the US team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is why he made the appearance.
After scoring in a 3-2 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on April 20, Svensson, a 23-year-old midfielder who was loaned to Dortmund by Denmark’s Nordsjaelland last winter, scored his second goal for the German team.
Dortmund will meet Monterrey in Atlanta on July 1. After Fluminense defeated Ulsan 4–2, Ulsan was eliminated.
“The only thing we could have done a little bit better is maybe scoring a bit more goals, because we created a lot of chances today. Football is emotional, so yeah, very nice scoring the goal that turned out to be an important one, also. So, yeah, very nice feeling,” Daniel Svensson, Borussia Dortmund defender, said.
