FIFA Club World Cup:Iqraam Rayners Inspires Historic Mamelodi Sundowns Victory in Opener
Orlando, Florida – Denis Onyango’s Sundowns made history on Tuesday, becoming the first team from South Africa to win a match at the FIFA Club World Cup after edging South Korea’s Ulsan HD 1-0 at the Inter&Co Stadium.
Striker Iqraam Rayners was the hero of the day, scoring the decisive goal in the 36th minute after a precise pass from Lucas Ribeiro, capping off a strong team performance that saw Masandawana dominate large parts of the game.
Earlier in the first half, Rayners had found the net in the 27th minute from a corner delivered by Ribeiro, but the goal was ruled out for handball following a VAR review. Undeterred, Sundowns maintained their attacking intent and were finally rewarded just minutes later with the breakthrough.
Commanding Performances All Around
The victory, secured in their Group F opener, was built on solid contributions from across the pitch. Devine Lunga and Lucas Ribeiro were instrumental in linking defense and attack, while Khuliso Mudau provided his usual reliability at right-back.
Veteran midfielder Themba Zwane brought composure when Ulsan threatened, but it was Teboho Mokoena who orchestrated much of Sundowns’ midfield dominance. Mokoena’s vision and distribution created several scoring chances that, unfortunately for Sundowns, went begging due to poor finishing.
Missed Chances on Both Ends
Despite the win, Sundowns could have made the scoreline more emphatic. They wasted numerous chances in both halves, including opportunities to put the game out of Ulsan’s reach.
On the other side, Ulsan HD’s Erick Farias will rue missed opportunities. The striker had three clear chances to level the game but failed to find the net. His finishing woes may prove costly, especially with a critical fixture against Fluminense next on the calendar.
Group F Standings and What’s Next
The result sees Mamelodi Sundowns top Group F with 3 points, after Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense played out a 0-0 draw earlier in the day. With only one group game remaining against Dortmund, Sundowns are in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Group F Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fluminense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ulsan HD | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Upcoming Fixtures (All times local)
- Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca – Today, 19:00
- Real Madrid vs Al Hilal – June 19, 01:00
- Pachuca vs Salzburg – June 19, 04:00
- Al-Ain vs Juventus – June 19, 19:00
- Palmeiras vs Al Ahly SC – June 19, 22:00
- Inter Miami CF vs FC Porto – June 20, 01:00
- Seattle Sounders vs Atletico Madrid – June 20, 04:00
- PSG vs Botafogo RJ – June 20, 19:00
- Benfica vs Auckland City FC – TBC
With this landmark win, Mamelodi Sundowns turns the shine on their next showdown against German giants Borussia Dortmund—a match that could further cement the PSL champions’ growing international stature.