Jobe Bellingham's crucial assist sends Borussia Dortmund into last-16 in Ulsan victory

Jobe Bellingham provided a crucial assist for Borussia Dortmund as they sealed a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD to progress to the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The England youth international backed up a man-of-the-match performance against Mamelodi Sundowns to set up Daniel Svensson's lone goal at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium.

Amid sweltering Ohio heat, the Bundesliga favourites saw off a spirited performance from their opponents to seal victory, led by their inspirational goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

Victory means that Dortmund reach the last-16 of the tournament as Group F winners too, leapfrogging Fluminense for top spot after the latter drew with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Here are the key talking points from a scorching afternoon that wrapped their second victory and maintained an unbeaten start to the tournament.

Bellingham brilliance a raw talent

As Lionel Messi lights up the tournament for Inter Miami among a sea of waning stars, the Young Lions star is continuing to show just why Dortmund prised him from Sunderland.

Stepping into the shoes of older brother Jude as a dynamic playmaker with plenty of room to grow, this was not quite the performance to match his superb full debut last time out.

But for the best part of an hour, it was still the Jobe Bellingham Show in part, as he fizzed and popped about a pitch already littered with bodies sapped by the oppressive weather.

The teenager missed a couple of tough chances that, had he converted, would have been further strikes to add to the highlight reel, particularly an effort swept over the crossbar.

Yet his position on the ball for Svensson's goal - drawn in from the right flank to collect, then squared neatly through traffic for a low finish - was a prime example of his poise.

Mature as he may be, he still has a touch of his brother's rashness too and was booked for a clumsy challenge in the first half. Subbed off shortly after the interval, he'll be back.

Jo pricks up overseas ears

Those with a sharp memory for the 2018 FIFA World Cup may remember that South Korea gambled on their third-choice keeper at the tournament - and it nearly paid off.

They may not have progressed, but the man between the posts delivered some superlative turns, and was Man of the Match as they defeated then-champions Germany.

So why has Jo not followed other big-name faces abroad and to the open market of European football? After this performance, plenty of overseas teams will be interested.

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Unlucky not to be named Player of the Match here, the Ulsan shotstopper made a succession of brilliant saves to keep his side within touching distance all afternoon in Ohio.

Without him, Dortmund would have been home and dry by half-time, racking up a slew of shots that somehow were always diverted by the acrobatics of a composed keeper.

Named the K League 1 MVP for his efforts in 2024, it seems assured Jo will be back stateside next year for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - but will Ulsan still have his number? 

The heat is still on

Compared to their seven-goal thriller with Malemodi Sundowns, this was a comparatively lean affair for Dortmund as they sought more goals - and no wonder given conditions.

With heat hovering around 34 celsius, with a feel of 43, players from both teams - but particularly the Bundesliga side - looked sapped of energy within the first quarter-hour.

Neither side would admit to being at their best under the heavy glare of a Wednesday afternoon, with Dortmund's bench electing to spend the first half inside the locker rooms.

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TQL Stadium has been a fabulous host well-suited to this tournament, but amid the challenges presented, few sides are likely to leave Cincinnati with many other memories.

Plenty of fixtures have been blighted by weather so far, and while this one only needed to pause for a slew of cooling breaks, it still raised questions over how to combat the issue.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just a year away now, and with United States Vice President JD Vance in attendance, the game's hierarchy must find a response to the problem.

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