The Brazilians started like a team with nothing to fear. Lucas Ribeiro stunned the Bundesliga side early on, breaking free and rifling home just 11 minutes in. But momentum quickly shifted. A rare miscue from Williams allowed Felix Nmecha to level just five minutes later.
Dortmund seized the moment. Teboho Mokoena lost the ball in midfield and the counterattack was deadly – Serhou Guirassy rose highest to head in their second. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Jobe Bellingham -in his first start – coolly slotted home a third.
It went from bad to worse shortly after the break as a deflected cross off Khuliso Mudau left Williams helpless for an unfortunate own goal, putting Dortmund 4-1 up.
But true to the club’s fighting spirit, Sundowns weren’t done yet.
Iqraam Rayners pulled one back with a sharp header after his initial effort was parried, and Lebo Mothiba’s late strike had Dortmund clinging on in the final minutes. It wasn’t enough to force extra time, but it was enough to win respect – and make a statement.
“It’s never easy conceding like that, but we’re a team that takes risks,” Williams said after the match.
“We learn from it. At this level, every small error gets punished – and we felt that today. But this was a lesson, not a failure.”
Williams was also quick to highlight how narrow the gap felt between the sides – something he believes Sundowns can build on.
“People might say Dortmund are a big club – yes, physically they’re stronger – but mentally, we matched them. We showed we can go toe-to-toe with the best. I’m so proud of the boys for the fight, the hunger, the belief.”
