Borussia Dortmund held by Fluminense in FIFA Club World cup opener

Borussia Dortmund played out a goalless draw with Brazil's Fluminense in their opening Group F game at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Fluminense

Dortmund had some defending to do in the early stages of their first competitive fixture since the conclusion of the regular 2024/25 Bundesliga season on 17 May. Fluminense's Jhon Arias fired wide, before testing Gregor Kobel's reflexes with a shot towards the BVB custodian's near post. Karim Adeyemi conjured up a promising opening for Serhou Guirassy in response, but the Guinean was unable to make contact in the six-yard box. Speculative efforts from Hercules and Matheus Martinelli sandwiched a decent a save from Fábio to thwart Julian Brandt, while Kobel had to be alert to repel another well-struck shot from Arias.

Fluminense continued to ask the questions after the restart as Agustín Canobbio shot tamely at Kobel. Niko Kovač introduced new signing Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha in a bid to wrestle back the initiative, but the Brazilians - only 11 games into their domestic campaign - kept coming. Everaldo forced a diving save from Kobel, who reacted brilliantly to deny Nonato on the rebound. On the back foot for large periods, Dortmund mustered a second wind in stoppage time by winning a couple of corners. Niklas Süle chanced his arm after one such delivery was only half cleared, but Fábio was equal to the task. BVB's focus now switches to their meeting with South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns on 21 June.

Match stats

• Dortmund won the 1997 Intercontinental Cup - the Club World Cup's direct predecessor - by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro.
• Kovač also lifted the Intercontinental Cup, after starting the 2001 final for Bayern Munich (1-0 vs. Boca Juniors).
• Bellingham registered four goals and three assists for Sunderland in 2024/25. He was named the Championship's Young Player of the Season.
• US international Gio Reyna and American youngsters Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert are part of Dortmund's squad.
• Full-back Yan Couto is one of 13 Brazilians to have played for Dortmund over the years.  
• Fluminense faced German opposition for the first time.

Teams

Dortmund: Kobel - Süle, Anton, Bensebaini - Ryerson (Couto 87'), Sabitzer (Gittens 77'), Groß (Bellingham 59'), Svensson - Brandt (c) (Chukwuemeka 77'), Adeyemi (Nmecha 59') - Guirassy
Unused subs: Meyer, Mané, Coulibaly, Benkara, Azhil, Reyna, Beier, Duranville, Campbell, Albert
Out: Can (groin), Özcan (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee)
Coach: Niko Kovač

Fluminense: Fábio - Xavier, Thiago Silva (c), Freytes, Renê - Nonato (Baya 87'), Hercules, Martinelli (Lima 76') - Arias, Everaldo (Cano 70'), Canobbio (Serna 70')
Unused subs: Pitaluga, Eudes, Ignacio, Fuentes, Guga, Manoel, Santos, Bernal, Ganso, Lezcano, Keno
Out: Otávio (Achilles), Soteldo (hamstring)
Coach: Renato Gaúcho

As it happened!

0 - 0

(0 - 0)

Fluminense

FINAL

Dortmund

FIFA Club World Cup
Group F, Matchday 1 Group F, Matchday 1 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Watch: Highlights from Dortmund's opening draw

Full time: Fluminense 0-0 Dortmund

The opening Group F encounter ends all square after an end-to-end spectacle. The Brazilian side were the more dangerous overall and arguably should have scored via Nonato in the second half, only for an astonishing reflex save from Gregor Kobel to keep him out from close range. Dortmund only showed glimpses of their attacking fluidity, but one positive was an encouraging debut from new signing Jobe Bellingham, who came off the bench in the second half.

© IMAGO/Karen Fontes

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Dortmund pushing

BVB want a winner, but as has been the case throughout the match they've struggled to break down the Fluminense defence.

90'

Added time

The teams have six minutes of stoppage time to find a winner.

87'

Substitution

Paulo Baya

Nonato

87'

Substitution

Yan Couto

Julian Ryerson

Key moment

This save from Kobel to deny Nonato kept Dortmund in the game.

© ANGELA WEISS

84'

Chances at both ends

First Serna gets away down the left and curls a shot towards goal from the edge of the box that Kobel saves well. Moments later, Ryerson gets into the Fluminense box and dinks a cross into the middle from the right. Svensson arrives at the back post but can only direct his header wide under pressure.

81'

Burst of pace

Gittens accelerates away from Nonato in midfield as he tries to get something going, but a tug of the shirt brings him down. Nonato gets a yellow card for his trouble.

78'

Throw of the dice

Dortmund haven't looked at their sharpest going forward today, so Kovač makes two more changes in a bid to inject fresh ideas.

77'

Substitution

Jamie Gittens

Julian Brandt

77'

Substitution

Carney Chukwuemeka

Marcel Sabitzer

76'

Substitution

Lima

Martinelli

74'

Almost an opening for BVB

Dortmund get forward on the counter and for a moment Nmecha could release Brandt through on goal. He hesitates though and after Brandt runs offside, Nmecha tries to send Guirassy in. His pass is too strong though, and the chance disappears.

70'

Substitution

Kevin Serna

Augustin Canobbio

70'

Substitution

Germán Cano

Everaldo

First glimpse of Bellingham

The 19-year-old immediately looks comfortable in a BVB shirt as he follows in his older brother's footsteps.

© CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

68'

STUNNING SAVES FROM KOBEL!

From a corner, the ball rolls out to Everaldo just outside the Dortmund box. His low drive draws a fine save from Kobel, down to his left, and the goalkeeper then quickly gets up to make an astonishing close-range block from Nonato on the rebound when a goal appeared certain!

64'

Sabitzer has a go

The ball falls kindly for the Austrian midfielder on the edge of the Fluminense box but he doesn't make a clean connection with his low shot and it's an easy save for the goalkeeper.

62'

Risky from Brandt

The Dortmund captain is forced to run back towards his own goal under pressure from Fluminense players. He doesn't have any other option but to pass back to Kobel, but he shows too much of it to Everaldo, who almost nicks in to score. A big let-off for BVB there.

60'

Debut for Bellingham

Kovač reacts to Fluminense's chances and brings on Jobe Bellingham for his Dortmund debut, with Groß making way. Nmecha also takes to the field for Adeyemi.

59'

Substitution

Felix Nmecha

Karim Adeyemi

59'

Substitution

Jobe Bellingham

Pascal Groß

58'

Best chance of the game!

Arias sprays a long ball forward for Everaldo on the counter-attack. He gets to the edge of the Dortmund box, cuts inside Anton and lays the ball off for Canobbio, whose shot is weak and straight at Kobel. That really should have been the opening goal.

57'

Arias making mischief

Fluminense suddenly up the tempo as they probe for an opener, and once again Arias is in the thick of it. He collects a lofted ball on the left-hand side of the Dortmund box and tries to dink a high cross into the box but Kobel is alive to the danger and saves.

53'

Different flow

Both teams have tightened things up at the back in this half, which is hardly surprising given the frequency of chances towards the end of the first period.

50'

Over from Hercules

Arias tees up Hercules, arriving in the Dortmund box on the right. He smashes a first-time effort narrowly over the bar.

47'

Treatment for Kobel

The Dortmund goalkeeper goes to ground clutching his chest after a collision with Everaldo, but he's alright to continue.

46'

Up and running again!

Fluminense get the action back under way.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Fluminense 0-0 Dortmund

It's been a very watchable game so far with both teams looking to get forward at every opportunity. Fluminense have had the better of things though, edging the possession stats (46 percent to BVB's 44) and firing off more shots (eight to four) as well as getting more on target (two to one). NIko Kovač has plenty of option on his bench, however, if he wishes to shake things up.

© IMAGO/Eduardo Carmim, Eduardo Carmim / SPP

Half-time

45'

Added time

There will be three minutes of stoppage time.

44'

Opening for Adeyemi!

Dortmund stroke the ball around the box before Groß releases Adeyemi into space. He could shoot from inside the box, on his favoured left foot too, but instead tries to cut inside to work a better angle. That gives Martinelli space to recover and tackle the BVB attacker.

Earning his keep

Kobel has been the busier of the two goalkeepers so far, especially in the last few minutes.

© ANGELA WEISS

36'

Curler from Arias!

Fluminense have the wind in their sails now as they create another opening. This time Arias shoots from range, but his curling shot is well kept out by Kobel.

34'

Martinelli!

The Brazilian side very nearly take the lead just a few seconds later as Martinelli has space to shoot from the edge of the Dortmund area. He's aiming for the far post but his effort fizzes just wide of the target.

33'

Big chance for Brandt!

A brilliant first-time pass from Groß sends Brandt into the box. He twists, turns and fires a powerful left-footed shot at goal that's well saved by goalkeeper Fábio. It wouldn't have counted had it gone in, though, as the flag goes up for offside.

29'

Free-kick routine

Dortmund try something from a free-kick deep in the opposition half but it doesn't work out as planned and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

27'

Wide from Hercules!

The Fluminense midfielder receives the ball in a central position, about 35 yards out. He takes a stride forward and unleashes a low shot that swerves just wide of the post.

Creative outlet

Adeyemi's pace and willingness to take on his marker almost created the game's opening goal a short while ago.

© IMAGO/Mark Smith

23'

Guirassy down

The BVB forward collided with the Fluminense goalkeeper as he lunged for the ball and requires treatment. He looks like he'll be able to continue though.

21'

Best chance for Dortmund!

Adeyemi does brilliantly as he jinks into the box on the left, skipping past his marker and drilling a ball low across the six-yard box, looking for Guirassy. The forward is just a whisker away from applying the finishing touch.

20'

Evenly matched

Dortmund have had more of the ball so far (49 percent compared to Fluminense's 42 percent, with 9 percent contested), but the Brazilian side have looked far more dangerous going forward so far. The pace of Arias and Canobbio are keeping the BVB defence on their toes.

17'

Arias again

In a similar move to the one just a few moments ago, Arias has space to run into on the right. Bensebaini is wary of making a tackle given that he's already on a yellow card, allowing the Colombian forward to get a shot away from an angle that Kobel does well to save at his near post.

No holds barred

It's hot in New Jersey, with this game taking place at midday local time, but the players are still going all out.

© FRANCK FIFE

10'

No way through

Fluminense are sitting deep and compact, inviting BVB forward. Kovač's players are probing, trying to find a way through but they've had no joy yet.

7'

In behind

Cannobio chases a long ball forward and gets to it ahead of Süle, who is sporting a bleached-blonde hair-do. The forward shuffles towards the byline and tries to cross into the middle, but it's blocked for a corner.

4'

First chance!

Arias bursts into space down the right, sprinting almost the full length of Dortmund's half as he tears into the box. The angle is tight but he gets a powerful shot away that whizzes just past the target.

2'

Bensebaini yellow

A very early caution for the Dortmund defender for a foul near the halfway line.

1'

Peeeeeep!

Dortmund get the ball rolling!

Kick-off!

pre-match formalities

The players are out on the pitch and have done the customary handshakes and coin toss. We'll be under way soon.

A long way from home

There might be several thousand miles between New Jersey and Dortmund but that has not stopped BVB fans turning out in numbers here.

© Francois Nel

More on those teams

There are no surprises from head coach Niko Kovač, who fields a full-strength side in New Jersey. New signing Jobe Bellingham is on the bench, alongside US-born attackers Gio Reyna and Cole Campbell, while Julian Brandt captains the side in the absence of injured regular skipper Emre Can.

© IMAGO/VANESSA CARVALHO

Fluminense starting XI

Fábio - Xavier, Thiago Silva (c), Freytes, Renê - Nonato, Hercules, Martinelli - Arias, Everaldo, Canobbio

Fluminense subs

Pitaluga, Eudes, Ignacio, Fuentes, Guga, Manoel, Santos, Bernal, Ganso, Lezcano, Lima, Keno, Cano, Baya, Serna

Dortmund starting XI

Kobel - Süle, Anton, Bensebaini - Ryerson, Sabitzer, Groß, Svensson - Brandt (c), Adeyemi - Guirassy

Dortmund subs

Meyer, Couto, Mané, Coulibaly, Benkara, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Azhil, Bellingham, Reyna, Beier, Duranville, Campbell, Albert, Gittens

0:23

Watch: Dortmund's final training session

Stage set

The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is the venue for today's encounter. The stadium is home to NFL sides the New York Giants and the New York Jets and has a capacity of 82,500.

© CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Cano's bench role

One of Fluminense's 2023 Copa Libertadores-winning heroes, Germán Cano, will likely play a part in today's game against BVB, despite the veteran striker only recently coming back to full fitness from a knee injury. "He is 100 per cent healed, but he lacks [playing] rhythm," coach Renato Gaúcho explained. Brazilian media expect the 37-year-old forward to appear at some stage of the Group F encounter.

© Lucas Figueiredo

Renato Gaúcho on facing Dortmund

"We studied our opponents a lot; we know what we're going to face. My team will respect any opponent [and we will] be careful defensively, but we always play to win; that's how I work. Regardless of the opponent, we play to win. I will never prepare a team of mine just to defend. Without a doubt, we will play with the ball and with a lot of courage."

© Buda Mendes

Kovač talks Jobe Bellingham

"We're all glad he's with us. He's fully fit. To make it clear now, he won't start tomorrow, because a week with us isn't enough to get used to all our patterns of play and principles. Also, the players who did so well in the final Bundesliga games have priority. But he will get his minutes throughout this tournament."

© Hendrik Deckers

Kovač on Club World Cup expectations

"We're sportsmen, want to compete and win every game. That's what we learned from a young age. Nobody's coming here not wanting to win. We're happy to be one of two teams representing Germany, but also our black and yellow colours. We want success and to continue what we showed at the end of the Bundesliga season. We want to win as many games as possible, ideally seven."

© Borussia Dortmund/ Hendrik Deckers

Niko Kovač on facing Fluminense

"Brazilian teams, also club teams, are technically very good. This team is very experienced. They're a Brazilian team who like to have the ball and slow down the play. They've got very good individuals. We're expecting a hard game. I believe my team knows exactly what's needed to beat this top team."

© Hendrik Deckers

Sides in form

Dortmund come into this game with their tails up off the back of six wins from their last six competitive games of the 2024/25 season. Fluminense's record, whilst not quite as perfect, stands at four wins and one draw from their last six competitive matches. That being said, Fluminense last played a competitive fixture on 2 June, whilst Dortmund's last outing was on 17 May.

© IMAGO/Maximilian Koch

Experienced sides go head-to-head

The average age of Dortmund's starting XI that was fielded against Holstein Kiel on the final day of the Bundesliga season was 27.3 years, which is hardly young. However, the Fluminense team that beat Internacional 2-0 in the Campeonato Brasileiro A had an average age of 31.6 years, with over the half the team over the age of 30. They even had two players over the age of 40 in goalkeeper Fábio (44) and centre-back Thiago Silva (40)!

Fluminense with CWC pedigree

Dortmund's opponents, Rio de Janeiro outfit Fluminense, were finalists in the last instalment of this competition in the 2023/24 season, when the format was still limited to just seven teams. In that year's final, the Brazilian giants lost out 4-0 to Manchester City.

© GIUSEPPE CACACE

Dortmund versus Brazilians

BVB have only faced a Brazilian side in a competitive match once before; back in 1997, when they won the Intercontinental Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Cruzeiro in Tokyo.

© imago sportfotodienst

2:07

Watch: Kehl previews opening match

Dortmund's sporting director spoke about training conditions in Fort Lauderdale, a Lionel Messi-approved pitch and previewed Tuesday's opening game against Fluminense.

What's Monday's plan?

Dortmund are still at their basecamp in Fort Lauderdale and will train one more time at Inter Miami's facilities this morning. After lunch, they'll be on their way to New Jersey, where Niko Kovač will speak to the media at his pre-match press conference in the evening.

© Hendrik Deckers

2:59

Watch: Kovač - "We want to achieve the maximum"

Dortmund are stateside

The Bundesliga giants have touched down in Fort Lauderdale and are all set for a first training session followed by a welcome barbecue as they get accustomed to life in the United States. Dortmund's title tilt starts here!

© Borussia Dortmund

Paint it Dortmund!

The Bundesliga giants will be wearing a special kit at the Club World Cup finals. The PUMA garb - designed by KidSuper - was launched under the slogan 'Paint it Dortmund' and will be worn by the Black and Yellows for the first time in the opener against Fluminense on Tuesday.

© Borussia Dortmund

Soteldo at the ready

Fluminense secured the services of Venezuela international and versatile attacker Yeferson Soteldo from Santos prior to the FIFA Club World Cup and the 27 year old will be keen to make his competitive debut for the Tricolor against Dortmund on Tuesday. Soteldo - who has won 50 caps for Venezuela - scored 21 goals and provided 29 assists in 161 games for Santos.

© IMAGO/ANDRES PINA/PHOTOSPORT

Cano firing

Fluminense's Argentinian forward Germán Cano was back scoring again in a pre-Club World Cup warm-up game against Charleston Battery, which the Brazilian giants won 6-2 in South Carolina. The 37-year-old's tournament had been in doubt due to a knee injury, but he has recovered in time to feature, even scoring a double in his side's latest friendly win.

© Buda Mendes

Dortmund absentees

Those BVB players who have not travelled to the United States are Nico Schlotterbeck - who is currently nursing a knee injury - Emre Can (adductor problem) and Salih Özcan.

© Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bundesliga

Captain fantastic

Fluminense are one of four Brazilian sides competing at this Club World Cup - and one of three teams from Rio - and the club that play their home games at the famous Maracanã are featuring in the United States thanks to their 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph against Boca Juniors. Renato Gaúcho's side are captained by former PSG and Brazil star and UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea, Thiago Silva.

© Wagner Meier

Kovač wary of Fluminense

Dortmund's coach has been speaking ahead of his side's exciting meeting with Brazilian side Fluminense and had this to say prior to the Group F encounter: "Fluminense are, I think, fifth in the Brazilian championship. This means [they] are very strong, dangerous opponents. We respect all three teams [in our group] but I think us and Fluminense are section favourites at the moment."

© Alexander Hassenstein

3:01

Guirassy: BVB's superstar

Dortmund's star striker had one more super season in the Bundesliga following his incredible feats for Stuttgart in 2023/24. The Guinea international registered 34 goals in all competitions in his maiden campaign with BVB, including 21strikes in the Bundesliga and a tournament-topping 13 in the UEFA Champions League. Check out Guirassy's remarkable rise 🎥

Kehl excited

"We'll see where this tournament takes us in the end, but we want to go as far as possible." So said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl ahead of Die Schwarzgelben's opening game in the tournament. "First of all, we want to get through the group stage and reach the round of 16, and then we'll see who awaits us there ... it's a very exciting tournament," Kehl added.

© IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto

1:11

Jobe on board

Fresh from making his huge summer move to Borussia Dortmund, new signing Jobe Bellingham hit the training ground at BVB HQ and the 19-year-old was soon among the names Niko Kovač had included in his Club World Cup squad. Will we see the former Sunderland star make his bow in Borussia's opener at the MetLife stadium? We're soon to find out!

Adjusting to USA time

Prior to flying out to Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Dortmund's players were pre-acclimatising back at base by training later and sleeping later at night. "We're trying to go to bed later," coach Kovač told the club's official website. "We're trying to have breakfast and lunch later so we can get into the rhythm faster and minimise the adjustment period," the tactician added.

© IMAGO/Tim Rehbein/RHR-FOTO

2:03

BVB in high spirits

Morale is high among Niko Kovač's side ahead of their Club World Cup opener against Fluminense on Tuesday. The Black-and-Yellows finished the recently-concluded Bundesliga campaign in the ascendency, having won seven of their last eight games to finish fourth and qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Welcome!

Borussia Dortmund begin their tilt at FIFA Club World Cup glory with their opening game of Group F against Fluminense of Brazil at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 12pm local time (6pm CEST). Stay tuned for match build-up, coverage and reaction here.

About the clubs

Borussia Dortmund

SIGNAL IDUNA PARK