Fluminense Advances to FIFA Club World Cup Semifinal After Win Over Al Hilal

6 hours ago 9

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Brazilian club Fluminense advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after defeating Al Hilal 2-1 in the quarterfinal match held at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, early Saturday WIB, July 5, 2025.

Quoted from FIFA's website, Fluminense scored the first goal through Matheus Martinelli just before the end of the first half, in the 40th minute. After receiving a pass from Gabriel Fuentes, he unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner of the goal that goalkeeper Fabio couldn't stop.

The game became more intense at the end of the first half. Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio made a brilliant save to thwart Kalidou Koulibaly's attempt before the referee pointed to the penalty spot after Marcos Leonardo fell. However, after a VAR review, Danny Makkelie decided that Samuel Xavier did not commit a foul.

Early in the second half, Leonardo scored the equalizing goal in the 51st minute. He headed Koulibaly's corner kick. The Brazilian player then seized the opportunity and slipped the ball into the net while Fabio had moved in the opposite direction.

Fluminense almost scored shortly after. German Cano latched on to a misplaced pass by Renan Lodi, managing to penetrate the opponent's defense. However, he failed to beat goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, and the ball was parried.

Fluminense's second goal, which also became the winning goal, occurred in the 70th minute through Hercules. After receiving a pass from Samuel Xavier, he controlled the ball well before taking a shot. This goal came from the success of Renato Gaucho's team in winning the ball in the opponent's area as Al Hilal prepared to launch an attack.

Hercules, who came on as a substitute early in the second half, replaced Martinelli and became the goal scorer for Fluminense.

Coach Gaucho had predicted that the match against Al Hilal would be very difficult. "I knew the match would be very difficult. Very tight, very heated. I set up my squad the way we faced Inter," he said, as quoted by FIFA.

His strategy was proven right to overcome Simone Inzaghi's troops. "We controlled the match, we conceded the equalizer, but the players’ attitude and dedication were enough to get us through," said Gaucho.

Fluminense will face the winner between Chelsea and Palmeiras at the MetLife Stadium in New York, New Jersey, early Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

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