Fluminense 0-0 Dortmund: Kobel prevents German debacle

Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund did not hurt each other in the opening of Group F of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. At MetLife Stadium, both teams did not make a difference in a 0-0 draw that can only be explained by the offensive ineptitude of both sides and by a monumental effort from Gregor Kobel, who responded with meritorious saves to several of the very dangerous plays generated by 'Flu'.

The first 20 minutes of the match were quite even, although little by little the balance tilted in favor of the Cariocas. The Brazilians gradually took the measure of the Germans, managing the actions of the match through possession and a lot of criteria in their offensive advances. They also appealed to the intense South American rhythm, pressing the Germans' exit to the point of making them uncomfortable to the point of causing a couple of errors in their own field.

John Arias, the Colombian winger, was one of the main offensive arguments of Fluminense, demanding the 'BVB' at 16', which, if it weren't for Kobel, with a great stretch sent the ball to the corner kick. A serious declaration of intent by the team of Renato Gaúcho, who made the right wing his main point of attack.

Dortmund's reaction and dangerous counterattacks from Fluminense

Dortmund's reaction came at 32', with Julian Brandt receiving a pass in the left sector and executing a shot on goal, contained by goalkeeper Fábio. Although the action was disallowed for offside, it was a sign of rebellion from the Germans, who were being overwhelmed.

Julian Brandt's shot in the match between Fluminense and Dortmund in the 2025 Club World Cup

However, and just one minute later, at 33', Matheus Martinelli took advantage of a counterattack very well executed by Fluminense to take a shot from the crescent that went slightly deflected, but with considerable danger.

In turn, John Arias also generated danger at 35' with a shot from outside the area, which after bouncing almost sneaked into the goal. However, Kobel responded again with an agonizing stretch, reaffirming his role as a hero in the first half.

Thus culminated the first half of a match dominated by an uninhibited Fluminense, which imposed the rhythm and almost total control of the actions. The remarkable work of Hércules, Nonato and Martinelli in the midfield marked the difference, while John Arias and Agustín Canobbio exploited the flanks at will.

Dortmund, on the other hand, was a surpassed team, disconnected and without the capacity to advance with criteria. Although they had moments of possession, they did not know what to do with the ball and barely generated any isolated occasion.

Fluminense insisted, but the goal was denied

At 57', Fluminense had a clear chance in a lethal counterattack. Everaldo was left with open field against two defenders, but stopped almost dead and looked for the pass to Agustín Canobbio. The Uruguayan finished with little force and the play ended in the hands of the Swiss goalkeeper. It was the first serious occasion of the 'Flu' in the second half, leaving the feeling that they already deserved to tip the balance in their favor.

Agustín Canobbio in a match play in the clash between Fluminense and Dortmund in the 2025 Club World Cup

It was not until 63' that Borussia Dortmund showed a glimpse of reaction, with a distant shot from Marcel Sabitzer that did not represent a greater danger for the Brazilian goalkeeper. Although still far from their best version, the Germans were beginning to show signs of improvement.

Kobel and a brilliant double save: Dortmund resists

From that moment on, the match became more of a back and forth, with imprecision as a constant. Although dangerous occasions arose —especially for Fluminense—, either due to their own mistakes or due to the rival's opposition, the goal still did not appear.

In the 68th minute, Kobel of Dortmund ended up establishing himself as a figure. First he repelled with one hand a distant shot from Everaldo from long distance, and then, in the second play, he made a stellar flight before a close-range shot from Nonato. Two key interventions to maintain the 0-0.

Draw with a bitter taste for Fluminense in the Club World Cup

Apart from an authentic bombshell from Süle at 93', which demanded goalkeeper Fábio with a providential stretch —in what was the last relevant occasion of the match for Dortmund—, the German team, seeing that the result was escaping them, tried to put the accelerator in the last minutes, but with little effectiveness, in a duel where there was more impetus than precision. Very little reward for a Fluminense that generated dangerous occasions to satiety, but failed to score the goal that would give them the victory.

Borussia Dortmund, gray and surpassed, left much to be desired. They arrived with the sign of favorites for their condition as a European team, but ended up being overwhelmed by an intense, uncomfortable and well-planted 'Flu'. The Cariocas kept the offensive aspirations of the Germans at bay, who never found the way to the goal.