Jobe Bellingham opened his goal account for Borussia Dortmund in a pulsating 4–3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday.

The English midfielder, who recently followed in the footsteps of his older brother Jude by joining the Bundesliga side, made his first start for Dortmund and impressed in sweltering conditions at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

Sundowns, runners-up in the CAF Champions League, made a fast start and took a shock lead in the 11th minute. Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro embarked on a brilliant solo run from his own half before calmly finishing past Gregor Kobel — a goal that appeared to justify Dortmund manager Niko Kovač’s earlier concerns that southern hemisphere teams might be better acclimatised to the heat.

However, Dortmund were gifted an equaliser when Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams misplaced a pass straight to Felix Nmecha, who calmly slotted the ball home.

The thrilling end-to-end contest continued, with both goalkeepers making key saves before Dortmund seized the lead. The German side pressed high to win possession, and Julian Brandt delivered a pinpoint cross for striker Serhou Guirassy, who rose expertly to head home and continue his impressive form this season.

Shortly before half-time, Bellingham added Dortmund’s third. Following a parried cross from Williams, the 18-year-old controlled the ball on his chest and drilled it into the net — a moment that drew loud approval from Dortmund supporters, who serenaded him with a reworded version of the Beatles classic, “Hey Jude”, in honour of his brother.

Jobe, who joined Dortmund from Sunderland in June for €33 million (£28 million), has followed a similar path to Jude, who moved to the German club in 2020 before transferring to Real Madrid in 2023.

Dortmund, having looked blunt in their opening draw against Fluminense, extended their lead early in the second half when Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau turned the ball into his own net in an attempt to cut out a low cross.

Yet the South African champions, who have won eight consecutive domestic league titles, refused to roll over. Just three minutes later, Iqraam Rayners — the match-winner in their opening game against Ulsan HD — struck again. He initially hit the post with a header but reacted quickly to nod in the rebound.

In the 90th minute, Lebo Mothiba set up a tense finale with a third goal for Sundowns, capitalising on a defensive lapse to narrow the gap. Despite late pressure, Dortmund held firm through six minutes of stoppage time to claim all three points and move top of Group F.

Later on Saturday, the group’s other fixture sees Fluminense face Ulsan HD at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.