Mamelodi Sundowns Secure Historic Win at Club World Cup

ORLANDO, Florida – Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa triumphed over Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea in their opening match of the Club World Cup on Tuesday. Striker Iqraam Rayners scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory at the Inter & Co Stadium.

This win places Sundowns at the top of Group F, making them the first African team to secure victory in the revamped 32-team tournament being held in the United States. Earlier in the day, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense played to a goalless draw.

Rayners found the back of the net nine minutes before halftime, following a match that experienced over an hour delay due to potential lightning in central Florida. Both teams had taken to the field to begin the match before French referee Clement Turpin sent them back to the locker rooms as a safety measure.

The striker had two other goals disallowed in the first half, one ruled off for handball and another for being inches offside after VAR reviews. The crucial goal came from a well-executed play, with Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro threading a precise pass through the Ulsan defense, allowing Rayners to score.