Sundowns impress on MatchDay 1

They were the better side for most of the game, and started on the front foot, with Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners combining well up front. The latter opened the scoring in the 36th minute, with two disallowed goals on either side of what proved to be the match winner. By The Numbers is a data deep dive into the matchday action.

Coming into this, Sundowns were favoured to win against the South Korean champions, with a 50% chance of victory, and only 25% for their opponents. Eraly on, the guld between the sides showed although it took about half an hour for the scoreline to reflect the same. Downs went on the attack from  the onset, with Arthur Sales nearly scoring in the first minute. From the follow up corner, Divine Lunga missed a rather tricky chance. But their intent was clear, as they dominated both possession and chances despite the odd breakaway chance down the other end.

8 – shots for Sundowns in the first half (5 for the opponent)

2 – big chances for Sundowns in the 1st half (1 for the opponent)

377 – passes attempted by Sundowns in the 1st half (121 for Ulsan HD)

0.82 – xG on target for Sundowns in the first half (0.07 for the opponent)

Possession Downs

“We are used to controlling matches in the South African league… Our possession can be 70 percent, sometimes even more … Now we must prepare mentally to adapt to situations where our opponents will have the majority of possession. I doubt we will be able to control games like we regularly do in South Africa.” – Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso befor the game

Miguel Cardoso may have said this with Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense in mind. Against Ulsan, Sundowns simply continued as they have done locally, having majority of the possession and using that to their advantage. Few teams have seen so much of the ball at the tournament.

3 – teams to have held more ball possession than Sundowns in a game at the tournament so far

74% – PSG ball possession

70% – Bayern Munich ball possession

69% – Flamengo ball possession

68% – Sundowns ball possession

What does the win mean, statistically?

Going forward, Sundowns will be looking to buld on this win. With the other two teams playing to a goalless draw, the South African champions are top of the table at the end of Matchday 1. Borussia Dortmund remain favourites to progress, but Sundowns chances have improved thanks to securing maximum points. The margins are still small, and the Fluminense clash can swing things heavily, but at the moment, Cardoso and his team can be at ease.

12% – chance for Sundowns to win the group before the tournament

24% – chance for Downs to win the group after Matchday 1

47% – chance for Downs to progress to the Last 16 before the tournament

60% – chance for Downs to progress to the Last 16 after Matchday 1