In a stunning turn at the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16, Fluminense shocked European giants Inter Milan with a commanding 2-0 victory at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Brazilian side’s triumph not only secured their place in the quarter-finals but also underscored the growing prowess of South American teams in this global competition.
The match kicked off at 20:00 UK time on July 1, 2025, with Inter fielding a strong lineup featuring Marcus Thuram partnering Lautaro Martinez up front, while Kristjan Asllani took charge in midfield alongside Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Notably, Stefan de Vrij started in the center of the back three, replacing Francesco Acerbi, and Yann Sommer guarded the goal for the Nerazzurri.
Fluminense, managed by Renato, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with veteran defender Thiago Silva, who will turn 41 in September, anchoring their defense. The squad was missing Otavio and Yeferson Soteldo due to injury, but the likes of Colombian international Jhon Arias and Argentine striker German Cano were key figures to watch.
The game began explosively with Fluminense seizing the lead in the 3rd minute. A high press forced an error from Inter, allowing Jhon Arias to deliver a deflected cross that German Cano expertly headed home from close range. This early goal set the tone for the match, with Fluminense demonstrating both tactical discipline and clinical finishing.
Inter struggled to find their rhythm against Fluminense’s well-organized low block defense. Despite efforts to build attacks through their two strikers, the Nerazzurri found it difficult to create clear-cut chances. Their best opportunity came from Stefan de Vrij, who had a point-blank miss, and Lautaro Martinez, whose quick succession of shots included one that rattled the post. Yet, none could break through the resolute Brazilian defense.
Fluminense’s goalkeeper Fabio, who will celebrate his 45th birthday in September, was a rock between the posts, making four crucial saves, including a smart leg block against Martinez’s attempt. His veteran presence, alongside Thiago Silva’s commanding leadership at the back, was instrumental in maintaining the clean sheet.
As the match wore on, the heat and intensity took a toll on Inter, who looked fatigued following a grueling season that saw them miss out on the Serie A title and fall short in the UEFA Champions League final against PSG. The Brazilian side capitalized on this, growing more confident and controlling the tempo.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time of the second half. Hercules, a Brazilian midfielder, seized a loose ball near the box and unleashed a stunning left-footed strike into the bottom corner, beyond Sommer’s reach. This 90+5th-minute goal sealed a historic victory for Fluminense, sending their fans into jubilation and securing their spot in the quarter-finals.
Fluminense’s Jhon Arias was named the “Superior Player of the Match” for the third time in four tournament appearances, leading the team in shots, chances created, touches, crosses, dribbles, recoveries, and fouls won. His dynamic performance was a key factor in the Brazilian side’s success.
Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu reflected on the defeat with candor, stating, “We didn’t give up, we tried until the end, we tried to make changes. It wasn’t our day, we tried our best and it wasn’t a day for us. We didn’t expect them to play five at the back, but they were well-organised in the low block. It was hard for us to find a resolution. We tried to build something with two strikers, but it wasn’t our day.”
Thiago Silva expressed pride in his team’s accomplishment, noting, “This game is so hard to play, they played the Champions League final a month ago! It’s not easy to play like this, it’s too hot, but it is what it is. Fluminense are a big team! This game is hard for us because they played well, but I think we’re very happy to win like this, 2-0 is not easy, we’re very happy.”
The victory marks Fluminense as the second Brazilian team to progress to the quarter-finals in this expanded 32-team Club World Cup, where they will face the winner of the upcoming match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal. That quarter-final clash is scheduled for 8pm BST on Friday, July 4, 2025, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Meanwhile, Inter will take a brief respite before the start of the Serie A season on August 25. Their Club World Cup campaign ends here, with the team needing to recharge after a demanding season that saw them fall just short of major silverware.
The broader tournament landscape continues to heat up, with other quarter-finalists including Palmeiras, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey. The tournament has showcased intense competition, with Brazilian teams notably maintaining a strong record against European sides.
Attendance at the two knockout games in Charlotte, including this match and Benfica vs Chelsea, filled just 30.6% of stadium capacity, raising questions about promotion and scheduling in the US market. Nonetheless, the quality of football and dramatic outcomes like Fluminense’s upset ensure the tournament remains a captivating spectacle for fans worldwide.
With the Club World Cup quarter-finals looming, all eyes will be on Fluminense as they aim to continue their remarkable run and challenge some of the world’s best clubs on this global stage.
