It was a night of thrills, goals, and a moment that Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams won’t forget anytime soon.

Facing German giants Borussia Dortmund in a FIFA Club World Cup group stage showdown at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, the South African side gave it their all—but a single misstep made all the difference in a nail-biting 4-3 loss.

The Back-Pass That Went Terribly Wrong

Williams has now spoken candidly about the error that gifted Dortmund their opening goal.

In just the 16th minute, a routine back pass turned into a nightmare when the ball rolled straight to Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha, who seized the opportunity and found the back of the net.

Explaining the moment, Williams said the mistake came down to a sudden change in movement from teammate Teboho Mokoena.

“‘Tebza’ was in position when I looked up,” Williams shared.

“But Marcelo Allende called for him to shift, and by the time I released the pass, it was too late.

These things happen—we take risks as a team. It’s disappointing, but it’s also how we grow.”

Sundowns Show Heart and Hunger Despite Setback

Even with the early blow, Williams praised his team’s performance and mental strength throughout the match.

Up against a physically imposing Dortmund squad, Sundowns refused to roll over.

“They might be taller or stronger, but football is also a mental game,” he said.

“If you believe, you can compete with anyone—and that’s exactly what we did. We showed that we belong here.”

Williams added that the team had chances to turn the game around, especially in the first half, and expressed pride in the resilience and effort shown by his teammates.

Goals Galore in a Seven-Goal Thriller

The match delivered high drama from start to finish.

Borussia Dortmund clinched the win with goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, Jobe Bellingham, and a Sundowns own goal by Khuliso Mudau.

Mamelodi Sundowns fought back bravely, with Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners, and Lebo Mothiba all getting their names on the scoresheet, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle.

Could It Have Been Different Without the Error?

It’s a question many fans are asking: would the result have gone the other way if Williams hadn’t misjudged that pass? One mistake in football can shift an entire game’s momentum—but Williams isn’t dwelling on the negative.

Instead, he’s focused on learning, improving, and moving forward with confidence.