Mamelodi Sundowns’ spirited campaign at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to a disappointing end on Wednesday night after a 0-0 draw with Brazilian side Fluminense at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense match review
Despite their energetic performance, the result means Sundowns exit the tournament in the group stage, finishing third in Group F.
Fluminense advance to the Round of 16 as runners-up in the group, while Borussia Dortmund, who defeated Ulsan 1-0 in a simultaneous fixture, top the standings.
Sundowns needed a win to progress, and while they created numerous chances throughout the match, they could not find the crucial goal.
The match was a tense, end-to-end encounter. Sundowns started strong, with early goal attempts from Lunga, Ribeiro, and Matthews testing Fluminense’s 44-year-old goalkeeper, Fabio.
The South Africans applied pressure consistently, especially in the first half, but were held back by a resolute Fluminense defence.
In the second half, both teams made multiple substitutions to inject fresh energy. Sundowns brought on attackers like Peter Shalulile and Arthur Sales in search of a breakthrough.
Despite these efforts, and a flurry of shots in the final 15 minutes, Fluminense managed to hold on, playing out the closing minutes with tactical discipline.
The referee issued several yellow cards as the match grew more intense, including bookings for Sundowns’ Letlhaku and Fluminense’s Arias and Renê.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Teams in the Round of 16
Group F concludes with Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense advancing to the knockout rounds. Sundowns finish third with four points from three matches, while Ulsan exit without a point.
The confirmed Round of 16 fixtures for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup include:
- Palmeiras vs Botafogo (Sat, 28 June – 18:00)
- Benfica vs Chelsea (Sat, 28 June – 22:00)
- PSG vs Inter Miami (Sun, 29 June – 18:00)
- Flamengo vs Bayern Munich (Sun, 29 June – 22:00)
The tournament has yet to confirm the remaining two fixtures between the four qualified teams.
Sundowns may not have advanced, but their performances, especially against top European and South American teams, earned them praise from neutrals and fans alike.
Their fighting spirit and attacking style showed that they can compete with the world’s best.