Iqraam Rayners Fires Sundowns to Club World Cup Victory Over Ulsan HD

Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign in style, securing a 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD of South Korea on Wednesday night at Orlando Stadium, despite a one-hour weather delay before kickoff.

Rayners Delivers the Winner

The Pretoria-based side dominated early proceedings, with Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners posing threats from the start. In the 29th minute, Rayners had a goal ruled out for handball after a VAR review, following a corner from Lucas Ribeiro.

But the striker didn’t have to wait long. Just six minutes later, Ribeiro fed him a through ball, and Rayners calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper, sealing the game’s only goal.

VAR Drama and Late Pressure

Rayners thought he had a second before the break but was flagged offside. After halftime, Ulsan HD pushed hard for an equalizer, with Jung Woo-Young going close, only to be denied by a brilliant Divine Lunga intervention.

Sundowns held tight and won all three points despite a tense moment in the closing minutes when goalie Ronwen Williams misjudged a cross.

What’s Next?

Mamelodi Sundowns now sit top of Group F ahead of their high-stakes clash with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.