Manchester City 0 Borussia Dortmund 1: Gotze spoils Mahrez's debut in ICC opener

Mario Gotze scored the only goal of the game as Riyad Mahrez made his Manchester City debut in a 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund at the International Champions Cup.

Mahrez debuted in Chicago on Friday after completing a club-record £60million transfer from Leicester City earlier this month.

The Algeria star showed glimpses of his quality for the Premier League champions and he almost scored before half-time via a set-piece but undermanned City fell to Dortmund at Soldier Field.

Gotze – wearing the captain's armband – scored from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after Dortmund team-mate and United States star Christian Pulisic was fouled by Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The World Cup deprived the Chicago crowd of a host of stars, with Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero, Kyle Walker, Danilo, Vincent Kompany, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Fabian Delph, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi and Ederson absent for the Premier League champions.

Pep Guardiola's City, however, still fielded Mahrez and Claudio Bravo, with Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte on the bench.

Bundesliga outfit Dortmund – who downed Austria Vienna 1-0 in Lucien Favre's bow last week – were also without the likes of Raphael Guerreiro, Shinji Kagawa, Roman Burki and new signings Thomas Delaney and Manuel Akanji, though Gotze and Pulisic took part.

City made a lively start as the English side – led by Mahrez – enjoyed some success down the left-hand side without really troubling Marwin Hitz.

Dortmund grew into the game as the half wore on and they hit the front approaching the half-hour mark.

Zinchenko was exposed by Pulisic, who received the ball and drew a foul from the Ukrainian utility inside the penalty area after Dortmund dispossessed City before Gotze converted the spot-kick.

City were caught out at the back again when Alexander Isak rounded Bravo but the Swede found the side netting from an acute angle moments later.

Debutant Mahrez almost equalised on the stroke of half-time but his free-kick was kept out by Hitz.

Joe Hart – who is seeking a permanent move away from the Etihad Stadium – replaced Bravo at the interval, while Dortmund changed all 10 outfield players for the second half.

Dortmund found the back of the net again in the second half but Max Philipp's effort was ruled out for offside, much to the relief of City.

Hart was called into action with 19 minutes remaining, the out-of-favour former England number one – who spent last season on loan at West Ham – denying Jadon Sancho.

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed