Mamelodi Sundowns FC from South Africa made a perfect start to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after edging South Korea’s Ulsan HD in their first group game played at Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday.
The Masandawana put up a resilient performance to earn a 1-0 win courtesy of Iqraam Rayners solitary strike.
The game was abruptly interrupted before kickoff after a bad weather alert. French referee Clément Turpin ordered both teams back to the dressing rooms in response to the imminent threat of a thunderstorm.
The game was later cleared to go and Mamelodi Sundowns were the better side in the first half.
Rayners had a goal disallowed for handball before he eventually fired the Brazilians into the lead in the 36th minute with a neat finish.
Three minutes later, Rayners thought he had Sundowns’ lead but this time he was offside and his strike was cancelled.
Ulsan came back recharged after recess and had majority of possession but Sundowns defended resiliently to take maximum points.
The South African outfit now lead Group F ahead of Dortmund and Fluminense who drew goalless.
Mamelodi will return to action on Saturday against Dortmund while Fluminense will take on Ulsan HD.
