Daniel Svensson's strike seals Dortmund's knockout berth in Club World Cup thriller

The Swedish full-back's strike proved decisive in a match where Dortmund dominated early but were tested late under the scorching Cincinnati sun.

Svensson, speaking to DAZN after the game, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. "We controlled the first half, created plenty of chances, and probably should've scored more," he said. "The second half was tougher; we slowed down and let Ulsan back in, but we deserved the win."

Reflecting on his goal, he added, "Jobe [Bellingham] found me in the box, I took a touch, and finished quickly. Scoring feels great."

The 23-year-old also highlighted the growing confidence within the squad. "We've been improving with every game. We started slowly in the tournament, but this was a strong showing, and we're ready for the next round," he said.

Dortmund, under Niko Kovac, knew a draw would suffice to top Group F, but they pursued victory with intent. They peppered Ulsan's goal in the first half, with goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo standing tall.

Jo made a stunning one-handed save to deny Serhou Guirassy and later thwarted Pascal Gross with a remarkable left-leg stop.

However, he could do nothing to prevent Svensson's 36th-minute strike, set up by Jobe Bellingham, who was a constant menace despite missing earlier chances.

Ulsan, managed by Kim Pan-gon, struggled to create openings, suffering their fourth straight defeat across all competitions, a low not seen since 2018.

They showed more fight after the break, with Kang Sang-woo and Lee Jin-hyun forcing saves from Gregor Kobel, but Dortmund's defence held firm.

Late on, Jo's heroics continued, denying Yan Couto to keep the scoreline respectable. His performance was a standout, arguably the finest individual display of the tournament so far.

Kovac's men now advance to face the Group E runners-up in Atlanta on Tuesday, brimming with momentum. Recent posts on X from Dortmund's official account celebrated the result, with one stating, "Svensson's goal and a solid team effort send us through! On to the knockouts!  #ClubWorldCup."

Dortmund's blend of youthful energy and tactical discipline makes them a formidable force as the tournament progresses, with Svensson's goal a testament to their attacking intent.