Mamelodi Sundowns defeat Ulsan to become first African team to Win at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Iqraam Rayners scored from very close range in the 36th minute to help Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD 1-0 in the group stage of the Club World Cup on Wednesday morning. The match started after a one-hour delay due to bad weather.

This win makes Mamelodi Sundowns the first African side to score and win at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup competition.

Mamelodi attacked strongly in front of a small crowd of fewer than 1,000 people at the 25,500-seat Inter&Co Stadium. However, Ulsan had the first big chance to score when Erick Farias hit a quick shot that went just over the bar.

Mamelodi kept control of the ball for most of the match, and their pressure finally paid off when Rayners calmly placed the ball into the bottom-right corner of the goal.

Ulsan nearly equalised in the 80th minute when winger Matías Lacava took a strong shot from close range, but Mamelodi goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made an important save.

With this win, Mamelodi Sundowns are top of Group F with three points. Ulsan are at the bottom with no points. Both teams will play again on 21 June—Mamelodi against Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan against Fluminense.

Mamelodi manager Miguel Cardoso said: “It’s never easy to win. Today, I think we used our energy in the right way.”

Ulsan boss Kim Pan-gon said his players gave it their all: “We didn’t get the win or any points. Even though we didn’t meet all our goals, I think we did well. Our players tried their best in very tough conditions.”