South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns became the first African club to secure all three points at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, following a 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai on Tuesday evening at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The result puts Masandawana at the top of their group with 3 points, ahead of Brazil’s Fluminense and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, who played to a goalless draw later that evening.
Elsewhere, in Group E, Italian giants Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Mexico’s Monterrey CF, while Argentina’s River Plate made a strong start with a convincing 3-1 win over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.
In other African action, 12-time continental champions Al Ahly SC of Egypt played to a scoreless draw, while Tunisia’s Esperance suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo.
Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca is set to take on Manchester City in Group G action this evening, before Juventus faces UAE’s Al Ain early Thursday.
Meanwhile, 15-time European champions Real Madrid will begin their Group H campaign later today against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, with Mexico’s Pachuca CF meeting Austria’s Salzburg in Thursday’s early kick-off.
