The English midfielder, who recently joined Dortmund from Sunderland in a €33 million ($37 million) deal, started his first match for the Bundesliga side, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude Bellingham.
The match, played under sweltering heat at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, saw Sundowns take a surprise 11th-minute lead through Lucas Ribeiro. The Brazilian forward made a brilliant solo run from midfield before slotting past Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund, however, responded swiftly. Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gifted an equaliser by misplacing a pass directly to Felix Nmecha, who calmly finished. The German side then went ahead through in-form striker Serhou Guirassy, who powered in a header from Julian Brandt’s cross after winning the ball high up the pitch.
Bellingham extended Dortmund’s lead just before half-time, converting a rebound after Williams failed to clear a cross. The 18-year-old showed composure to chest the ball down and strike confidently into the net.
“I’ve practised arriving late at the edge of the box many times,” Bellingham said. “It’s something I’ve worked on since my time at Sunderland, and I’m proud to see it pay off.”
Dortmund supporters paid tribute with a rendition of “Hey Jobe,” echoing the chant once sung for Jude Bellingham during his spell at the club.
Dortmund looked in control when Kuliso Mudau turned the ball into his own net early in the second half. But the South African champions refused to back down. Iqraam Rayners, who scored in their opening win over Ulsan HD, reduced the deficit with a sharp header after initially hitting the post.
Lebogang Mothiba added another goal in the 90th minute, setting up a tense finish. Despite late pressure, Dortmund held firm through six minutes of stoppage time to secure their first win in Group F after a goalless opener against Fluminense.
“It wasn’t the result we aimed for, but the performance was outstanding,” said Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso. “Considering the calibre of the opposition, I’m extremely proud of the players. It was a remarkable match.”
Dortmund now sit at the top of Group F, pending the outcome of the later fixture between Brazil’s Fluminense and South Korea’s Ulsan HD at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.