Fluminense were left ruing a string of missed opportunities after they were held to a goalless draw by Borussia Dortmund in their opening Group F match of the Club World Cup, played Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Brazilian champions took control of proceedings early on, dominating much of the first half.
However, Dortmund’s shot-stopper Gregor Kobel emerged as the hero for the Bundesliga side, delivering a series of impressive saves that kept Fluminense from finding the net in front of a predominantly Brazilian crowd.
While the German club failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, Kobel’s presence became increasingly crucial after the break.
He showcased his reflexes with a stunning double-save midway through the second half, ensuring the scoreboard remained unchanged despite intense pressure from Fluminense.
A notable moment came in the 60th minute when new signing Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, was introduced to make his debut for Dortmund.
The energy in the stadium was palpable from kickoff, with Fluminense fans arriving early, waving flags and vocally backing their team.
Their enthusiasm was nearly rewarded when winger Jhon Arias aimed for the top corner in the 17th minute, only to be denied by Kobel.
Midfielder Martinelli came agonizingly close in the 34th minute, missing by inches, and Arias tested Kobel again just two minutes later with another effort.
Another chance fell to Fluminense in the 69th minute when striker Everaldo unleashed a powerful strike from distance. Kobel parried the effort, then quickly reacted to block a follow-up attempt from midfielder Nonato.
Despite concerns about player welfare due to the sweltering summer conditions in the U.S., the match benefitted from overcast skies and more temperate weather. Still, only 34,736 fans turned up at the 82,000-seat venue, home to NFL teams.
Borussia Dortmund booked their spot in the Club World Cup courtesy of a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, while Fluminense entered as the reigning Copa Libertadores champions.
Statistically, the Brazilians were the more enterprising side with 14 shots to Dortmund’s seven, but the Germans held a slight edge in possession with 54.5%.
Next, Dortmund will head to Cincinnati to face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, while Fluminense will remain in New Jersey to take on Ulsan HD of South Korea on Saturday.