Fluminense stun Inter, hit FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals 

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a thrilling upset at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Fluminense Football Club delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over Inter Milan in the round of 16 on Monday, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Brazilian side, defying pre-match predictions, outplayed the Italian giants to secure a quarter-final berth, potentially against Manchester City or Al-Hilal.

The match ignited early with Germán Cano’s clinical header in the third minute, capitalizing on a precise cross to stun Inter’s defence and set the tone.

Germán Cano  did well to meet a cross inside the box and struck a perfect header low into the middle.

Fluminense’s relentless pressure kept Inter on the back foot, with Jhon Arias nearly doubling the lead in the 30th minute, his swerving long-range shot forcing a sharp save from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Inter struggled to find rhythm, hampered by a grueling season and the absence of key players like Mehdi Taremi, Davide Frattesi, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu due to injuries.

Despite a 65% possession edge by the 56th minute, their attacks lacked precision. Federico Dimarco’s 11th-minute one-on-one was thwarted by Fluminense’s Fabio, and Stefan de Vrij’s 69th-minute strike narrowly missed.

Lautaro Martinez came closest, rattling the post in the 83rd minute, but Fabio’s heroics kept a clean sheet.

Fluminense’s defensive discipline shone, with Thiago Silva and Ignacio anchoring a backline that neutralized Inter’s threats.

A potential second goal by Ignacio in the 40th minute was disallowed for offside after VAR review, but Fluminense remained undeterred.

The decisive blow came in stoppage time when substitute Hercules unleashed a beauty from just outside the box,” curling a powerful shot into the bottom right corner past a diving Sommer. Hercules lashed the ball with incredible pace and power.

Inter’s late push saw Dimarco’s 96th-minute rocket hit the crossbar, but Fluminense’s resolve held firm.

The 20,030 fans witnessed Fluminense’s jubilant celebration, with players and staff circling their club flag at the centre spot, chanting in triumph.

“This means so much to Fluminense,” BBC Sport reported, capturing the emotional weight of knocking out the UEFA Champions League finalists.

Inter, reeling from a trophyless season after losses in Serie A and the Champions League, now face a much-needed break.

Fluminense, unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions, advance with confidence, leveraging their 2023 Copa Libertadores pedigree and historical edge over Italian sides (10W 4D in 14 matches).

Their next challenge looms on July 4 in Orlando, as they await the outcome of Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal.