Jobe Bellingham Makes Borussia Dortmund Debut in Club World Cup Stalemate Against Fluminense

Jobe Bellingham made his much-anticipated debut for Borussia Dortmund in a tightly contested 0-0 draw against Brazilian side Fluminense at the FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey.

The 19-year-old midfielder, recently signed from Sunderland in a deal initially worth £27 million, came off the bench but couldn’t turn the tide for the German giants. His appearance mirrors the path of his elder brother, Jude Bellingham, who enjoyed a successful stint with Dortmund before moving to Real Madrid in 2023.

A Game of Missed Chances and Defensive Brilliance

The match, played at the iconic MetLife Stadium — the chosen venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final — failed to produce any goals but was not without excitement.

Fluminense, last year’s Club World Cup finalists, showed their experience on the big stage. Their 44-year-old goalkeeper Fábio, playing in his astonishing 1,375th senior match, delivered a composed performance to keep Dortmund at bay. He was well-shielded by a resilient defense led by veteran Thiago Silva, who captained the side and reminded fans of his world-class pedigree ahead of his 41st birthday.

Colombian forward Jhon Arias looked the most threatening, testing Dortmund’s backline with a trio of near-misses. His teammates, Hércules and Matheus Martinelli, also had promising opportunities but couldn’t find the target. Agustín Canobbio squandered perhaps the best chance of the match, shooting directly at Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel, who later produced a stunning save to deny Nonato.

Bellingham’s Quick Turnaround

Bellingham’s Dortmund debut came just over three weeks after he played a crucial role in Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, helping them defeat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Joining him on the pitch for Dortmund were Reading-born winger Jamie Gittens — who is reportedly on Chelsea’s radar — and Carney Chukwuemeka, currently on loan from the Blues. Both players came on as substitutes but were unable to break the deadlock.

Atmosphere in Focus as Empty Seats Raise Eyebrows

Following criticism of the sparse crowd at Chelsea’s opener against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, attention turned to the attendance at MetLife. Though Fluminense fans brought vibrant support from Brazil, large patches of empty seats were once again visible. The noon kickoff time likely contributed to the underwhelming turnout, raising questions about FIFA’s scheduling strategy for the tournament.

Veteran Steals the Show

The standout performer of the day was undoubtedly Thiago Silva. The former Chelsea defender displayed exceptional awareness and timing, using his experience to frustrate Dortmund’s attackers and anchor the Fluminense backline.

Silva, who has lifted both the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, was awarded Player of the Match with an average rating of 8.26 — comfortably ahead of his peers.

What’s Next?

The group stage action continues on Saturday. Borussia Dortmund will face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati at 17:00 BST. Later that evening, Fluminense will return to MetLife Stadium to take on Ulsan HD of South Korea at 23:00 BST.

Club World Cup Engagement Still in Question

The tournament, expanded and rebranded by FIFA to generate more global attention, is still struggling with crowd engagement. The sight of thousands of empty seats despite high-profile teams and stars suggests a gap between the event’s ambition and its current appeal.

Top Player Ratings (Fluminense)

• Thiago Silva (#3): 8.26 ⭐
• Hércules (#35): 6.55
• Samuel Xavier (#2): 6.19
• Everaldo (#9): 5.96
• Matheus Martinelli (#8): 5.93
• Lima (#45): 5.87
• Jhon Arias (#21): 5.86
• J. Freytes (#22): 5.85
• Fábio (#1): 5.85
• Nonato (#16): 5.68
• K. Serna (#90): 5.62
• A. Canobbio (#17): 5.59
• Renê (#6): 5.50
• Paulo Baya (#77): 5.47
• G. Cano (#14): 5.24

Stay tuned to Buzzmotto for further coverage as the Club World Cup continues to unfold.