US Vice-President JD Vance, an Ohio native, watched on at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati as Jobe Bellingham helped Borussia Dortmund reach the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
Bellingham assisted Daniel Svensson for the only goal of the game as the German side beat Ulsan of South Korea to set up a tie in Atlanta on Tuesday against either River Plate, Monterrey or Inter Milan.
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They will be joined in the knockout stages by Fluminense, of Brazil, who qualified by nullifying Mamelodi Sundowns in Miami. They will also play one of the three group E teams who remain in contention for the round of 16.
Eduardo Tansley and Sebastian Stafford-Bloor break down what happened.
What did Vance see?
A small crowd in Cincinnati was boosted by the presence of Secret Service members, including a sniper on the roof of the 26,000-capacity TQL Stadium to guard Vice-President Vance.
His boss, President Donald Trump, is yet to make an appearance at a Club World Cup game but he did host an awkward-looking group of Juventus players and staff (and his “great friend” FIFA president Gianni Infantino) at the White House last week as he weighed the idea of striking Iran.
Secret service members watch the game in Ohio (Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, which is about an hour’s drive from the TQL Stadium and home of MLS side FC Cincinnati. Vance’s most prominent comments on soccer this summer have been to invite fans to the World Cup next summer, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, but warn them that “when the time is up we want them to go home, otherwise they will have to talk to Secretary (of Homeland Security) Noem.”
The crowd in Ohio was sparse, with many who were there sat in the shade as temperatures at the ground reached 93F; 33.8C (feeling like 103F; 39.4C), with Infantino arriving in a suit but soon stripping down to an opened shirt.
Infantino was among those sweltering in Cincinnati (Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Vance took in the game with his wife, Usha, and family and in truth…. it wasn’t a classic. But what will Vance have learnt?
Well, that Dortmund are good and could have won by more.
In an expansive 3-4-3 formation, the German club controlled the game, particularly in the first half, with both Karim Adeyemi and Bellingham causing problems behind striker Serhou Guirassy, who was getting on the end of chances.
Vance and wife Usha at the game in Ohio (Photo: Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Ulsan goalkeeper Hyeonwoo Jo kept out Guirassy and Pascal Gross from point-blank range in the opening 45 minutes, in which Dortmund took 20 shots with eight on target.
Their eventual breakthrough came in the 36th minute as Bellingham squared to Svensson, and he finished driving the ball low from inside the box.
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After Bellingham and Adeyemi came off around the 60-minute mark, Dortmund were less threatening, besides the odd spark from Julien Duranville, and effectively saw out the game.
If he’s back for more next summer he’ll be hoping for a bit more entertainment.
Eduardo Tansley
How is Jobe Bellingham doing at Dortmund?
Jobe Bellingham deserves to be judged on his own merits, not within the context of his brother’s achievements or talent. So far, he has had a positive effect on Borussia Dortmund. He scored against Mamelodi Sundowns and his assist for Svensson’s first-half goal in this game, after a smart ball across the box, was just reward for another strong contribution.
Dortmund did not sign him on the strength of his surname. He is a type of player that they lacked in their squad last season and, so far, has presented himself as a No.8 that can blend well with Niko Kovac’s other midfielders. Bellingham has a range of useful attributes that make him a good compliment. He’s adventurous and creative with the ball, without being too reckless. He’s comfortable with having an influence on the rhythm of a team’s play without ever trying to run it by himself. He’s physical, muscular, two-footed and technically good.
Bellingham challenges Kim Minhyeok (Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
As a midpoint between the stylish, adventurous Felix Nmecha, who will be Kovac’s deepest midfielder, and Dortmund’s more attacking players, Bellingham could work really well. He’s a team player rather than a soloist and that’s what Dortmund need in that role. A hard worker. No ego. Someone capable of adapting to the mood of the side.
Maybe that’s Bellingham? And perhaps the English clubs made a mistake? The truth might just be that he preferred a move to Germany and the opportunity to develop in a quieter environment, away from the clamour. Whatever the case, he certainly looks capable of occupying a Premier League midfield and justifying the €30m Dortmund have spent.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
What happened between Mamelodi and Fluminense?
A point behind Fluminense and needing to beat them to advance, Mamelodi Sundowns had a good go at it with the majority of possession (68%) but failed to convert that into goalscoring chances.
Fluminense did what they needed to do and continued the strong performances of Brazilian sides at the Club World Cup, becoming the fourth (out of four) Brazilian team to progress into the round of 16 after finishing second in Group F.
They didn’t have a shot on target, although did hit the post close to the hour mark, but looked solid defensively, even with Thiago Silva on the bench throughout after playing the full 90 minutes in the club’s previous two group games.
It was Fluminense’s second 0-0 draw of the group stage, recording the same result against Dortmund, which meant their 4-2 victory over Ulsan was decisive.
Eduardo Tansley
What are the last 16 games so far?
Saturday June 28
Palmeiras v Botafogo
Benfica v Chelsea
Sunday June 29
PSG v Inter Miami
Flamengo v Bayern
Monday June 30
Winner group E v Fluminense
Winner group G v Runner-up group H
Tuesday July 1
Borussia Dortmund v Runner-up group E
Winner group H v Runner-up group G
(Top image: Getty Images)
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