Rio de Janeiro powerhouses Fluminense were the more dangerous team throughout the Group F game played at the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, just outside New York City.
However, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel turned a Jhon Arias shot around the post in the first half, before Matheus Martinelli drilled an effort narrowly wide.
Fluminense — captained by 40-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea defender Thiago Silva — were a threat on the break throughout and should have scored at the end of a counter midway into the second half, but Agustin Canobbio shot straight at Kobel.
The Dortmund goalkeeper then produced a fine save low down to deny Everaldo as the match ended in stalemate.
“We saw it was a tough game as we expected. Fluminense is a top team, very ball-possession based,” Dortmund coach Niko Kovac told broadcaster DAZN.
“They played very good. We had some difficulties, especially in the first half. In the second half I would say it was better but overall it was a lucky point for us.”
Fluminense qualified for the tournament by virtue of their triumph in the Copa Libertadores in 2023.
Their performance against a European heavyweight, UEFA Champions League finalists last year, is further evidence that Brazilian teams can hope to make a real impact in FIFA’s new-look competition.
Their great rivals Flamengo beat Esperance of Tunisia 2-0 on Monday and face Chelsea next.
Palmeiras drew 0-0 with Porto in their opening game while Botafogo, the reigning Brazilian and South American champions, defeated Seattle Sounders of MLS 2-1 on Sunday.
Dortmund, who gave a debut off the bench to teenage English midfielder Jobe Bellingham following his recent arrival from Sunderland, did not seriously threaten until a late Niklas Suele long-ranger.
Kovac, whose team finished fourth in the Bundesliga, insisted the conditions had a significant impact on the game.
“The pitch isn’t so easy for us. I think the humidity also wasn’t so easy for all the players, although the Brazilians are more used to it,” he said.
“It was hard for us, we were running a lot, but overall we can live with a point.”
The Germans will hope to get their first win when they play Mamelodi Sundowns next.
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