Jobe Bellingham scores first Dortmund goal

Mamelodi Sundowns 3 - 4 Borussia Dortmund

Jobe Bellingham scored his first goal for Borussia Dortmund as they claimed a 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

Author | Jamie P

Stadium | TQL Stadium

The 18-year-old was handed his first start since completing a £27m transfer from Sunderland earlier this month. Although Dortmund took all three points, they were second best for long periods of the match.

Sundowns struck first. In the 11th minute, Lucas Ribeiro Costa picked up the ball inside the centre circle, drove through the middle of the Dortmund defence and calmly slotted past Gregor Kobel.

The lead was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gifted Dortmund an equaliser when a misplaced pass fell straight to Felix Nmecha, who rolled the ball into an empty net.

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Undeterred, Sundowns continued to push forward. Iqraam Rayners saw two efforts blocked when a pass might have been the better option, while Tashreeq Matthews frequently threatened down the left wing with his pace and skill.

But once again it was a defensive lapse that cost the South African champions. Dortmund regained possession high up the pitch and Julian Brandt delivered a precise cross for Serhou Guirassy, who headed in his 35th goal of the season to put the Germans in front.

Momentum then shifted in Dortmund’s favour. Just before the break, Bellingham took centre stage. The midfielder controlled the ball with his chest inside the penalty area and struck a deflected shot past a wrongfooted Williams to score his side’s third goal.

Sundowns remained dangerous after half-time. Kobel had to stretch to tip Rayners’ shot onto the crossbar, although it would have been disallowed for offside, and Teboho Mokoena saw his free-kick deflected narrowly over the top.

Dortmund extended their lead when Khuliso Mudau inadvertently turned Daniel Svensson’s low cross into his own net. There was late drama as Rayners pulled a goal back by bundling home after hitting the post with his initial header, and substitute Lebo Mothiba calmly finished a breakaway in the final minute.

Dortmund held on to move top of Group F with four points from two matches.