FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fluminense stuns Al Hilal to book semifinal berth

Brazil’s Fluminense continued its fairy-tale run at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on Friday in Orlando, Florida, to book its place in the semifinals.

The tournament underdog struck first through Matheus Martinelli in the opening half before Al Hilal hit back after the break when Marcus Leonardo found the net.

But Fluminense refused to be denied and regained its lead in the 70th minute through Hercules to secure a memorable win over Al Hilal in the first meeting between the two clubs.

The Brazilian side, which entered the tournament as one of the biggest long shots, will now face the winner of Friday’s other quarterfinal clash between Palmeiras and Chelsea.

AS IT HAPPENED | FLUMINENSE VS AL HILAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fluminense opened the scoring when Joao Cancelo failed to clear his line, allowing Gabriel Fuentes to roll the ball to Martinelli who brilliantly picked out the far post with a left-footed strike into the top right corner.

Al Hilal made a quick start to the second half and drew level after a push header from a wide-open Kalidou Koulibaly hit the legs of Leonardo, who quickly reset his feet and fired home from in close.

Hercules, who scored off the bench in the last-16 win over Inter Milan, came in for Martinelli after the break and struck again when he took a brilliant touch into the area and fired into the bottom corner.

The match began with players and fans observing a minute’s silence in memory of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, who both died in a car crash on Thursday.