Borussia Dortmund secured the top position in Group F and progressed to the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD, marking the South Korean side’s first four-match losing streak in all competitions since 2018.
Niko Kovač’s team knew that avoiding defeat was sufficient for advancement and, as expected, they dominated possession in the sweltering Cincinnati heat.
Ulsan’s goalkeeper, Jo Hyeon-woo, appeared in control until he was compelled to make a spectacular one-handed save to deny Serhou Guirassy.
Shortly after, Jobe Bellingham missed a golden opportunity, sending a right-footed volley well over the crossbar despite being well-placed to score.
Bellingham was consistently involved, having another effort blocked and dragging a subsequent shot wide of the target.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 36th minute, thanks to Daniel Svensson. Bellingham set up the Swede, who took a touch before skillfully placing the ball past Jo.
It was a well-deserved result for Kovač’s squad, and Jo denied Pascal Groß from extending the lead with an impressive left-footed save. The Ulsan keeper remarkably managed another excellent save before half-time, turning Guirassy’s header away and keeping his side in the game.
After the break, Ulsan created their first noticeable chance when Kang Sang-woo forced Gregor Kobel into a straightforward save following a rare attack.
Dortmund squandered yet another opportunity, with Ramy Bensebaini heading Svensson’s cross over the bar. Ulsan appeared to pose a greater threat in the second half, and Kobel had to once again deny Lee Jin-hyun’s shot from a difficult angle.
Dortmund sought to close out the match in the dying moments, but Jo continued to frustrate, denying Yan Couto another goal-scoring chance.
It was an outstanding performance from the Ulsan keeper, who will undoubtedly be remembered for one of the tournament’s best individual displays.
Ultimately, it was Kovač’s side that secured the three points, setting up a clash against the Group E runners-up in Atlanta next Tuesday.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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