Mamelodi Sundowns Crash Out of FIFA Club World Cup After Being Held by Fluminense

• Mamelodi Sundowns have been knocked out out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after goalless draw with Fluminense in their final group game in the competition
• The Betway Premiership champions needed a win to progress to the Round of 16 after securing three points from their first two group games, but a goalless draw left them being eliminated from the tournament
• The Premier Soccer League giants previously defeated Ulsan Hyundai and suffered a narrow loss to Borussia Dortmund, and they remained the best performing Africa club at the competition

Mamelodi Sundowns have crashed out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after playing out a goalless draw against Brazilian side Fluminense in their final group match at the Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in Miami, Florida.

The Premier Soccer League giants needed a win against the South American side in order to progress to the next round after gathering three points in their first two group games: a win against Ulsan Hyundai and a narrow defeat against Borussia Dortmund.

The Brazilian Serie A side fielded a strong line-up, with former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva making the starting XI.

Ulsan HD are also out of the competition after losing all their three matches, while Masandawana finished with four points.

Sundowns knocked out of FIFA Club World Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns started the match as the better side and had the first shot on target after Lucas Ribeiro's effort was saved by Fluminense's goalkeeper in the fifth minute.

Two minutes after Ribeiro's effort, Tashreeq Matthews had a golden chance to give the Premier Soccer League champions the lead, but his shot was cleared out.

The Betway Premiership side enjoyed most of the possession in the opening 20 minutes as they dictated the pace of the match.

The South Americans came into the game and put pressure on the PSL side, and their first threat came on the half-hour mark, but Cupido was on hand to clear the danger.

The first half ended goalless, with Mamelodi Sundowns being the better side, showing they needed it more.

Miguel Cardoso made changes before the second half began, with Jayden Adams coming on for fellow South African international Teboho Mokoena.

The game continued with near misses and pressure from both sides, and it ended goalless, with the Brazilian giants progressing to the next round while Cardoso and his boys bowed out from the competition with their heads held high.

Sundowns now out of the competition means their players will go on a much needed break after a long season where they played so many matches and will return to Chloorkop in time to kick off their pre-season and prepare for the 2025-26 campaign.

European coach explains why it's hard to face Sundowns

Briefly News also reported that a European coach opened up on the reason why it's difficult to play against Mamelodi Sundowns after their performance at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Brazilians gave European giants Borussia Dortmund a run for their money in their second group match and earned the praise of pundits and football fans globally.

Source: Briefly News