Lucas Ribeiro’s solo goal in Mamelodi Sundowns’ Club World Cup game against German giants Borussia Dortmund has been named the best goal of the tournament.
In Sundowns’ 4-3 loss to the Germans, Ribeiro picked up the ball in his own half, slalomed his way past a number of defenders, and scored past Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to give the South Africans a shock early lead.
Sundowns’ performance, despite the loss, was hailed around the world, with Ribeiro coming in for special praise for his impressive strike.
The goal was one of ten shortlisted by FIFA after the tournament, and the decision to name it the tournament’s best was taken after a vote by fans.
Despite missing out on the knockout stages of the tournament, French football icon Thierry Henry expressed his admiration for the South African club, acknowledging their spirited performances in a fiercely competitive Group F.
“Looking at Group F, I must say, Mamelodi Sundowns were the one team that truly brought excitement to the game. Their style of football kept you on the edge of your seat,” Henry said.
According to Henry, Sundowns showed how beautiful the game can be. His praise underscored a campaign that, while ultimately short-lived, showcased the club’s fearless approach.
Miguel Cardoso’s team kicked off their tournament with a 1-0 win over South Korean side Ulsan HD, and followed that up with their encouraging performance in the loss to Dortmund. In their last game, Sundowns dominated Brazilian giants Fluminense knowing only a win would send them through, but they were held to a 0-0 draw, which wasn’t enough to send them through.
The revamped Club World Cup concluded in Jersey last weekend, with London club Chelsea beating European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 after a flurry of first-half goals in the final.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, with Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia the top goalscorer with four goals to his name.
IOL Sport
