Fluminense Stun Inter Milan to Book Quarter-Final Clash with Al-Hilal

In one of the most unexpected results of the Club World Cup so far, Brazilian side Fluminense stunned Italian giants Inter Milan with a 2-0 win in Charlotte, punching their ticket to the quarter-finals where they will face Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal.

The match opened with high drama as striker Germán Cano scored just three minutes in with a diving header, setting the tone for a determined Brazilian side. Despite dominating much of the second half, Inter couldn’t break through. Substitute Hercules sealed the win with a spectacular curling effort from the edge of the box in the 78th minute—his first goal in the competition.

Lautaro Martínez was unlucky not to score, hitting the post in the final moments and creating chances after tactical adjustments by new manager Cristian Chivu. Defender Stefan de Vrij squandered Inter’s best opportunity with a close-range miss. On the other hand, veteran defender Thiago Silva, 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, and forward Jhon Arias were standout performers for Fluminense, offering composure, resilience, and flair.

Only 20,030 fans attended the match at Bank of America Stadium, a surprisingly low turnout considering its capacity of nearly 75,000. Yet, the South American contingent made their voices heard, giving Fluminense a home-like atmosphere.

The result underlines the passion and ambition South American clubs bring to this tournament. With Al-Hilal already having knocked out Manchester City, the quarter-final clash in Orlando promises to be a heated showdown.

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