The Brazilian side,Fluminense, backed by a passionate fanbase and led by veterans like Thiago Silva and German Cano, delivered a masterclass in resilience and clinical finishing to book their spot in the last eight of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Fluminense Club World Cup quarterfinal dreams are alive and kicking after a sensational 2-0 victory over Inter Milan on Monday night.
The match, played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, will be remembered as a turning point in the Fluminense Club World Cup quarterfinal journey.
Coming into the tie, Inter Milan were the favourites. Despite their recent 5-0 loss to PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, the Italians were still seen as a European powerhouse. But Fluminense had other plans.
The game exploded into life just three minutes after kickoff. A sharp cross from Jhon Arias on the right wing took a wicked deflection off Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni.
The ball bounced awkwardly in the box, but German Cano was alert, charging in to head the ball between Yann Sommer’s legs. It was a poacher’s finish and exactly what Fluminense needed to set the tone for the night.
That early goal injected confidence into the South American side. As the Fluminense Club World Cup quarterfinal push continued, they stayed organized at the back and moved the ball smartly through midfield. Inter tried to recover, but the Brazilians gave them little breathing room.
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Fluminense thought they had doubled their lead before halftime when Ignacio found the net, but the effort was chalked off for offside. Still, it didn’t shake their rhythm.
Arias, who was having a blinding game down the flank, tested Sommer again with a curling strike early in the second half, forcing the Inter keeper into a fingertip save.
But as the second half wore on, the pressure from Inter Milan mounted. Lautaro Martinez and Stefan de Vrij both had close-range chances, while Federico Dimarco hit the post late in the game. Despite dominating possession and peppering Fluminense’s goal, Inter couldn’t break through.
Then came the dagger.
With the game in stoppage time and Inter throwing everything forward, substitute Hercules pounced on a loose ball in midfield. With quick feet and plenty of confidence, he drove straight at the heart of Inter’s tired defence, entered the box, and buried a low shot into the bottom corner. Cue pandemonium.
That goal not only sealed the win, but also cemented Fluminense Club World Cup quarterfinal status as a team to fear in the knockout stages. The win also meant Fluminense became the second Brazilian side to reach the quarters after Palmeiras.
South America Rising Again
The Fluminense Club World Cup quarterfinal win continues a powerful run for Brazilian teams in this year’s competition. Botafogo shocked PSG, Flamengo beat Chelsea, and now Fluminense have taken out another European heavyweight. It’s not just about pride — it’s about proving South America can still challenge the best.
Captain Thiago Silva, at 40 years old, put in a commanding performance and spoke after the match about how important this win was for the continent.
“We knew they were tough. Just weeks ago, they were in the Champions League final. But we played with heart. This is for Brazil, for South America,” said Silva.
His teammate, Colombian winger Jhon Arias, echoed the sentiment, calling the victory a moment of pride for all of Brazil. Arias, who was named man of the match, was a constant threat throughout the game.
“We are not just representing Fluminense — we are representing a continent,” he said.
Inter’s Struggles Continue
For Inter Milan, this was another painful chapter following their humiliation in Paris. New coach Cristian Chivu has barely had time to implement his ideas, and it showed. Despite flashes of quality from Lautaro and Dimarco, Inter lacked cohesion in key moments.
They were wasteful in front of goal and shaky at the back — a combination that spelled disaster. The defeat leaves their fans with more questions than answers and underlines just how difficult the transition will be under Chivu.
“We kept pushing till the end. But sometimes, the ball just doesn’t go in. It wasn’t our day,” the Inter boss admitted.
Thanks to the Fluminense Club World Cup quarterfinal success, they now travel to Orlando where they’ll face Al-Hilal — the Saudi giants who stunned Manchester City in a 4-3 extra-time epic. It’s a mouthwatering fixture between two in-form sides who have already taken down European giants.
Fluminense will once again rely on the experience of Thiago Silva, the attacking flair of Arias, and the deadly instincts of German Cano to carry them through. And with South American pride on the line, they won’t go down without a fight.
