Brazilian side Fluminense continued their unlikely Club World Cup charge with a spirited 2-1 win over Saudi giants Al Hilal in Orlando, booking their place in the semifinals with a performance full of heart, grit, and belief.
Underdogs from the outset, Fluminense opened the scoring with a moment of sheer class from Matheus Martinelli. The midfielder curled a sublime left-footed strike into the top corner after Gabriel Fuentes pounced on João Cancelo’s poor clearance.
Al Hilal responded swiftly after the break, showing their pedigree and composure. Kalidou Koulibaly’s cushioned header ricocheted off Marcus Leonardo, who reacted smartly to fire in the equaliser from close range.
But the night belonged to Fluminense, and to their game-changing substitute Hercules. Just like in the previous round against Inter Milan, he came off the bench and made an instant impact, slicing through the defence before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.
It was a goal that ignited the crowd at Exploria Stadium, and sealed a victory that was as symbolic as it was deserved. Fluminense’s tenacity and tactical awareness outshone Al Hilal’s star power in a contest that swung on fine margins and bold substitutions.
Before kick-off, the atmosphere was tinged with emotion as players and fans observed a minute’s silence in honour of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. It was a moment that reminded everyone of football’s fragility beyond the pitch.
Fluminense will now await the winner of Palmeiras vs Chelsea in the semifinal.
