CWC: Kobel saved Borussia from a defeat

Enthusiasm, emotion, passion! All of it could be seen and felt in New York. The ‘Big Apple’ was shaking, and it was exactly what Niko Kovač once talked about – Brazilians, Argentinians, and other Latinos experience football differently. They live it, and they live for the chance to bare their teeth at European clubs. Fluminense did exactly that, forcing Borussia Dortmund to feel uncomfortable in its own skin, to feel awkward, to want to escape. They found themselves in survival mode, flinching at every counterattack. The Germans were drenched in sweat as the decibels rose, the noise intensifying with every new chance for the South American side. And they can, and should, be thankful to Gregor Kobel, who preserved their honor – 0:0.

For some, the Club World Cup is an obligation, an add-on to an exhausting season. For others, it’s a privilege. And that’s the fundamental difference. South Americans fight tooth and nail, it matters to them – and so far, they’ve gotten the results they could only dream of. Botafogo won, Flamengo won. Porto wasn’t exactly comfortable when it faced Palmeiras, and neither was Dortmund against Fluminense. Yes, Brazilians can match them! They’re capable of competing with European teams – at least with the middle tier. Palmeiras and Fluminense proved that, and so did Boca Juniors against Benfica. Five matches, and not a single defeat for the South American teams: two wins and three draws…

CWC: Benfica's two Argentinians spoil Boca's party in a festival of goals and reds

The outcome could’ve been even better. Fluminense kept pressing, they were more dangerous. A true Brazilian hurricane. Standing in its path was Gregor Kobel, bracing for impact. The threat came from the left wing, then the right. Renato Gaucho’s players buzzed around the pitch, causing serious problems for the German club. Colombian winger Jhon Arias, who was named Man of the Match, and Uruguayan Agustín Canobbio did massive damage. They ran like they were turbocharged, hard to keep up with, constantly switching roles. At times, it seemed like they were about to collapse from exhaustion.

Borussia players go to sleep at three in the morning

One of many counterattacks ended with a shot by Agustín Canobbio – denied by Gregor Kobel. He was in the right place when Canobbio struck from inside the box. Same when striker Everaldo aimed for the far corner from the edge of the area. Fluminense spent the entire second half weaving their way through the opposition, who didn’t pose any real threat until stoppage time. Even the substitutions, including debutant Jobe Bellingham, didn’t change much. The best Dortmund could manage were two set pieces – after one of them, Niklas Sule struck the ball in stride. And that was pretty much it from the Bundesliga side in New York. That’s when Fluminense keeper Fabio finally had to step in – until then, he could’ve spent most of the match leaning against the post. He was only occasionally called into action.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025

Matchday 1

Tuesday

Boca Juniors - Benfica 2-2 (2-1)

/Merentiel 21, Battaglia 27 - Di Maria 45+3 pen, Otamendi 84/

Flamengo - Esperance 2-0 (1-0)

/De Arrascaeta 17, Araujo 70/

Fluminense - Dortmund 0-0

22:00: (1.60) River Plate (3.90) Urawa RD (6.00)

Wednesday

00:55: (2.90) Ulsan (3.15) Mamelodi (2.55)

04:00: (5.90) Monterrey (4.00) Inter Milan (1.58)

19:00: (1.07) Manchester City (13.0) Wydad Casablanca (25.0)

22:00: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.90) Al Hilal (9.50)

Thursday

00:55: (2.85) Pachuca (3.35) Salzburg (2.50)

04:00: (12.0) Al Ain (6.50) Juventus (1.22)

***odds are subject to change***