Rayners strikes as Sundowns bag record win at CWC

In a historic moment for South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup victory, defeating Ulsan HD 1-0 in Orlando.

This win not only marks a significant milestone for the Sundowns but also extends Ulsan’s struggles against international opponents, with the Tigers now having lost eight of their last nine matches against foreign teams.

Despite Ulsan’s prior experience in the CWC in 2012 and 2020, it was the Sundowns who dictated the early pace. They thought they had opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Iqraam Rayners steered a corner home, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed he used his hand for the final touch.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

However, Rayners quickly redeemed himself just seven minutes later. He latched onto a precise through ball from Lucas Ribeiro and, with a delightful finish using the outside of his right foot, found the bottom-left corner to give the South African side a deserved lead.

Ulsan nearly drew level right before halftime, but Divine Lunga heroically headed Seong-Beom Ko’s looping effort off the line, preserving Sundowns’ advantage.

The second half saw fewer clear-cut chances. Eight minutes after the break, Ribeiro attempted to curl an effort into the far top-left corner, but an Ulsan defender made a crucial block to deny him.

As the half progressed, Ulsan’s hopes of an equalizer dwindled as the Sundowns asserted greater control, expertly managing the game as it entered the final ten minutes.

Mamelodi Sundowns successfully weathered some late pressure from the Korean champions, securing a valuable win. This victory propels Miguel Cardoso’s men to the top spot in Group F, benefiting from the earlier 0-0 draw between Dortmund and Fluminense. Ulsan, now rooted to fourth place, face an extremely challenging path if they hope to advance from the group.