Borussia Dortmund ease past Ulsan HD to reach FIFA Club World Cup last 16
Jobe Bellingham provided an assist as Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 after beating Ulsan HD 1-0 in Cincinnati on Wednesday.
It was one-way traffic for the vast majority of the first half, with Dortmund immediately seizing control of proceedings and constantly probing to find a way through Ulsan’s deep-lying defensive block.
Felix Nmecha should have done better with a header from a Daniel Svensson free-kick, Serhou Guirassy fluffed his lines with only the goalkeeper to beat following a neat one-two with Bellingham, who himself had three presentable chances in quick succession.
Their pressure eventually took its toll shortly after the half-hour mark when Bellingham collected a loose ball inside the penalty area and teed it up for Svensson to drill low into the net.
Guirassy could have doubled the lead for Niko Kovač’s men moments before the interval only to see Ulsan goalkeeper Hyeonwoo Jo produce a stunning reflex save to keep out his close-range header.
Ulsan had their first shot of the match early in the second period, Sangwoo Kang firing straight at Gregor Kobel from the edge of the area.
It wasn’t long before Dortmund reasserted their dominance though, even if they struggled to create chances with the same frequency as the first half.
Kovač made a triple substitution to remedy that, bringing on Julian Brandt, Maximilian Beier and Julien Duranville in the sweltering Ohio heat. The latter very nearly added to the scoreline shortly after taking to the pitch, demonstrating his dribbling skill and incredible acceleration to scurry into the box and smash a left-footed effort into the side netting.
Yan Couto thought he had scored late on with a bouncing effort after more good work from Duranville, but Jo pulled off another sensational save to keep his side in the game. It ultimately mattered little, though, as Dortmund advanced as Group F winners into the last 16.
JD Vance (top, c.), US vice president, was in attendance to witness Dortmund's win first hand. - PAUL ELLIS
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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 (1-0 vs. Boca Juniors).
Ulsan: Jo - Trojak (Yool 86'), Ja. Lee, Kim (c), S. Kang - Ji. Lee, Mi. Kim (Ko 46'), Bojanić (H. Lee 80'), Ludwigson - Lacava (Park 46'), Farias (C. Lee 80') Unused subs: Moon, Ryu, M. Kang, Seo, Choi, Jung, Kim, Back, Heo, Yago Out: - Coach: Kim Pan-gon
FIFA Club World Cup Group F, Matchday 3 Group F, Matchday 3 TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
0:48
Watch: Match reactions from the BVB camp
2:28
Watch: Niko Kovač: "We completely controlled the game"
Full-time: Dortmund 1-0 Ulsan
Dortmund progress to the last 16 as Group F winners. BVB peppered the Ulsan goal from start to finish, but only had Svensson's 36th-minute goal for their dominance. River Plate, Inter Milan or Monterrey await in the next round.
Park puts in a last-ditch challenge to stop Chukwuemeka getting off a shot following a slaloming run into the Ulsan area.
90'
Deflected!
Dortmund build patiently, before Chukwuemeka sends a shot out for a corner off an Ulsan shirt. Anton then glances a header over as the fourth official's board indicates four additional minutes to go...
Beier's cut-back causes problems in the Ulsan box. Chukwuemeka can't bring it under wraps, the ball instead falling favourably for Couto. He tries to find the far corner with a bouncing first-time strike that Jo claws to safety.
The second of the game, with temperatures now in the region of 40C in the humidex index (what it feels like).
72'
Right idea
Duranville, who's been really lively since coming on, jinks inside and fires straight at Jo. Dortmund attack again with Groß, whose attempted cross is put behind for a corner. Ryerson sends it in... to the gloves of the keeper.
70'
Group F latest
It's still scoreless between Fluminense and Mamelodi, which means Dortmund are on course to top the section.
66'
Side netting!
Dortmund turn defence into attack in a flash as substitute Duranville shifts past his marker, before lashing an effort into the side netting.
64'
Worth a hit!
Ulsan spring to life once more as Ko gets away from Duranville and curls a shot down the throat of Kobel from 18 yards.
59'
Triple change
Kovač shuffles his pack for the first time as the game ticks towards the hour mark. Tremendous strength in depth in this BVB squad.
BVB lead through Svensson's well-taken goal, expertly set up by young Bellingham, but could easily be three or four to the good. They've been all over Ulsan, with only some superb goalkeeping preventing them from running away with it.
Point-blank header from Guirassy, but Ulsan's last line of defence reacts brilliantly to push it clear.
40'
By Jo!
Incredible from the Ulsan custodian to stop Groß slapping a left-wing cross into the net from 10 yards. He got down really quickly to deflect the ball away with an outstretched leg.
39'
Ooof!
This is relentless from Dortmund as Guirassy has a shot blocked, before Nmecha spins one a fraction wide of the upright at the end of their next attacking foray.
37'
BVB on top
That goal puts Dortmund first in Group F ahead of Fluminense, who are currently goalless against Mamelodi.
35'
Breakthrough goal!
There it is! Dortmund's high press forces a couple of mistakes in the Ulsan rearguard. Bellingham calmly shifts inside and lays a pass off for Svensson, who slams beyond Jo from inside the area.
Really energetic stuff from Dortmund's summer signing so far. His late bursts into the Ulsan box have been a particular concern for the South Korean side.
Superb technique from the Dortmund new boy, who volleys Adeyemi's clipped cross just past the upright.
26'
Big save!
Guirassy is played into the Ulsan box. He's between two defenders as he tries to steer a shot into the bottom corner, but Jon gets down brilliantly to push it away.
25'
At the other end for once
Dortmund have some defending to do as Ulsan win a corner, which is played short and cleared with ease.
24'
One-two!
Guirassy receives a ball into feet, the Guinean immediately flicking it to Bellingham and continuing his run. He gets it back from the English teen, but his low shot is too close to the goalkeeper.
19'
And again!
Guirassy with another warning shot that stings the palms of Jo. It's all Dortmund.
18'
Chance!
Adeyemi wins a foul after being upended by Kim on the left-hand side of the Ulsan area. Ryerson clips the free-kick towards Nmecha on the penalty spot, but the BVB midfielder fails to make a proper connection with his header.
Ulsan only half clear as Dortmund attack up the right with Groß. It's touched back to Ryerson, who bends a well-weighted effort narrowly past the near post. Jo was beaten!
14'
Over!
Guirassy shows quick feet on the edge of the Ulsan area, before ballooning over on his weaker left foot. Very lively start from BVB, despite the oppressive heat.
12'
BVB pressure
Ryerson swings a teasing ball towards the back post, but Jo gets there first. The Ulsan stopper is then a touch fortunate not to gift possession to Adeyemi in front of goal.
10'
Full song
There are a lot of empty seats at the TQL Stadium, but the fans in attendance are really making themselves heard.
7'
No goal
Svensson blocks Ulsan goalkeeper Jo's attempted clearance. Adeyemi strokes the loose ball into the unguarded goal, but it's quickly chalked off for infringement.
5'
Dortmund in control
BVB are dictating possession now, with Svensson a constant outlet on the left-hand side.
2'
So close!
Adeyemi drives into the final third, before dropping off a pass to the overlapping Svensson. His cross is straight into the six-yard box for Guirassy, who pokes wide off an Ulsan shirt. No corner given, though!
1'
Under way!
Ulsan go on the attack soon after kick-off, but the cross from the left is well cleared.
Kick-off!
Teams out
The Dortmund players take to the field at TQL Stadium, dressed in their traditional colours of black and yellow. Ulsan line up in blue and white stripes. Kick-off is imminent...
Steamy conditions
There's still a heat advisory in place in Cincinnati, where temperatures are currently around the 34C mark.
Last-16 check
Dortmund will face one from Group E's River Plate, Inter Milan or Monterrey, if they avoid defeat today and advance.
More on those teams
Full-back Julian Ryerson is preferred to Niklas Süle, while Karim Adeyemi replaces Julian Brandt in the Dortmund attack in the only changes to the team that started the 4-3 win over Mamelodi. That means Jobe Bellingham keeps his place after scoring on his full debut. Min-Hyeok Kim and Matías Lacava come in for already eliminated Ulsan.
Second straight start
Jobe Bellingham, seen here arriving at the stadium a short while ago, is given his second successive start by Kovač.
Jo - Trojak, Ja. Lee, Kim (c), S. Kang - Ji. Lee, Mi. Kim, Bojanić, Ludwigson - Lacava, Farias
Ulsan subs
Moon, Ryu, M. Kang, Seo, Park, Choi, Jung, Ko, Kim, H. Lee, C. Lee, Yoon, Back, Heo, Yago
Kovač on Ulsan
"Ulsan is a team that has already played 20 league matches and has yet to earn a point in this tournament. We all know that the South Koreans are a very proud nation, and they certainly want to put in their best performance tomorrow to take home some points. For us, that means we're expecting a very difficult game tomorrow."
Ulsan have lost their opening two games of the tournament (1-0 vs. Mamelodi Sundowns, 4-2 vs. Fluminense) and thus can no longer qualify for the knockout rounds. However, Dortmund shouldn't underestimate the Korean side who have nothing to lose, as their game against Sundowns was a very tight affair and they led Fluminense 2-1 at half-time of their Matchday 2 meeting.
With Fluminense and Dortmund both on four points apiece, and Mamelodi on three, it's still all to play for and, as such, Niko Kovač will no doubt be emphasising that nothing less than a victory will be enough to send his side through to the knockout stages. Should they qualify, they could come up against: Italian giants Inter Milan, Argentine outfit River Plate or Mexican side Monterrey from Group E.
1:13
Watch: Bellingham: "It's a little bit surreal"
Jobe Bellingham reflects on his maiden start and first goal for Borussia Dortmund against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup, which earned the youngster the Superior Player of the Match award.
0:43
Watch: Dortmund - Mamelodi Sundowns match reaction
Felix Nmecha, Waldemar Anton and Gregor Kobel share their thoughts on BVB's 4-3 win over Mamelodi Sundowns and Jobe Bellingham's POTM performance on Matchday 2 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Group F latest
Dortmund sit in second place in their group after Fluminense came from 2-1 behind to beat Ulsan 4-2 to take the top spot. BVB are level on points with the Brazilian side, but they'll need to make up the goal difference by at least two if they're to outright top the group on the final Matchday. Their opponents, South Korean side Ulsan, have already been knocked out of the tournament, having lost their opening two games.
Borussia Dortmund's third and final game of Group F at the FIFA Club World Cup is against Ulsan HD of South Korea in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 3pm local time (9pm CEST). Stay tuned for match build-up, coverage and reaction here.
