Fluminense Stuns Al Hilal to Reach FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals

5 July 2025 13 Comments Koketso Mashika

Fluminense's Surprising Run Continues

No one pegged Fluminense as favorites for this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, but the Brazilian club keeps rewriting the script. Their 2-1 win over Al Hilal was no lucky break—this squad is carving its own story, relying on the kind of steely resolve that only comes from a mix of wise veterans and fresh faces hungry for a shot at history. Their journey started with winning the 2023 Copa Libertadores, but now they're chasing even bigger dreams on the world stage.

Orlando’s Camping World Stadium set the stage for a tense quarterfinal. Midfielder Matheus Martinelli drew first blood in the 40th minute, tapping home after a slick build-up that capped Fluminense’s relentless pressure. Al Hilal answered early in the second half through Marcus Leonardo, giving the Saudi champions a glimpse of hope. But Fluminense stayed cool, and Hércules delivered the final blow in the 70th minute, restoring their lead for good. The squad’s blend of experience and nerve under pressure stood out again in a do-or-die situation.

Veteran Leaders and Rising Stars Shine

A lot of credit has to go to manager Renato Gaucho. He’s kept the group balanced, leaning on seasoned players while letting younger guys step into big moments. Germán Cano, the Argentine forward, has become something of a talisman for Fluminense—he was the hero in their 2-0 round-of-16 win against European heavyweight Inter Milan. But it’s not just a one-man show. The defense held firm when needed, and the midfield engine room—spearheaded by Martinelli—never stopped fighting.

Fluminense’s path to the semis has been anything but easy. They squeezed past Mamelodi Sundowns, a club known for its fierce pressing, and battled to a hard-fought draw with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund in the group stages. Every game forced them to adapt, dig deeper, and trust each other.

Next up? Chelsea. The London club knocked out fellow Brazilian giants Palmeiras and now stands as the next massive obstacle between Fluminense and the final. The semifinal set for July 8 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey promises fireworks—one side with global pedigree, the other running on belief, unity, and the thrill of being underdogs. For fans back in Rio, this is already a moment to savor, but if the team’s fighting spirit holds, their story might just get even bigger.

Tags: Fluminense FIFA Club World Cup semifinals Copa Libertadores champions

13 Comments

Murray Hill
July 6, 2025 AT 04:55

Man, this is what football’s supposed to be about. No fancy contracts, no billionaire owners yelling from boxes-just heart, grit, and a team that believes. Fluminense didn’t just win, they reminded us why we watch.

It’s not about who’s got the most money. It’s about who’s willing to bleed for the shirt. That’s real.
Bruce Wallwin
July 7, 2025 AT 01:38

This is why soccer is garbage. A Brazilian second-tier team beats a Saudi club? And now they’re playing Chelsea? Someone’s sleeping on the FIFA power rankings.
Letetia Mullenix
July 7, 2025 AT 15:29

i just cried a little. not even kidding. this team feels like my grandpa’s old leather jacket-worn in, kinda messy, but it keeps you warm when it matters.
Morgan Skinner
July 7, 2025 AT 15:46

This is the most beautiful thing to happen to football this year. Fluminense isn’t just playing-they’re teaching. They’re showing the world that talent doesn’t come from a spreadsheet. It comes from community. From culture. From players who know each other’s names, not just their market value.

Chelsea might have the pedigree, but Fluminense has the soul. And soul doesn’t lose in the 70th minute.
Rachel Marr
July 8, 2025 AT 00:05

I’ve been following this team since the Libertadores. Watching them grow from underdogs to global contenders has been one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen in sports. They’re not just winning-they’re changing what’s possible. Keep going, Fluminense.
Kasey Lexenstar
July 8, 2025 AT 15:38

Oh wow. A team from Rio beats a Saudi club. Shocking. Next they’ll claim they invented the wheel. Maybe the ref was bribed? Or maybe Al Hilal was just... distracted? By what? The humidity? The fact that they had to play on grass instead of gold?
Trevor Mahoney
July 9, 2025 AT 11:20

You know what’s really happening here? The global elite don’t want this story to be real. They’ve spent decades building this narrative that only European clubs can win big tournaments. But Fluminense? They’re not supposed to be here. They don’t have the marketing budget, the TV deals, the corporate sponsors. So now they’re trying to discredit them-calling it a fluke, a lucky draw, a weak opponent. But the truth? The truth is that the system is rigged, and this team is the only one brave enough to break it.
Jitendra Patil
July 10, 2025 AT 03:01

Fluminense? Who even are they? Al Hilal had 70% possession and 18 shots. They were the better team. This is why South American football is so overrated-no discipline, no structure, just chaos and luck. And now they’re talking about Chelsea? Please. Chelsea will wipe the floor with them. This is not football. This is carnival.
Michelle Kaltenberg
July 10, 2025 AT 13:41

I’m sorry, but I have to say this: if Fluminense wins the final, I will cry. I will cry in public. I will cry at my desk. I will cry while eating cereal. Because this is the kind of story that reminds us that magic still exists. And magic, my friends, is not something you can buy. It’s something you earn. And Fluminense? They’ve earned every single second of this.
Jared Ferreira
July 10, 2025 AT 23:46

I watched every minute of that game. The way Martinelli moved in the box, the way Cano held up the ball-it was textbook. But what stood out most? The silence in the stands when they scored. Not screaming. Not cheering. Just... stillness. Like everyone knew they were witnessing something rare.
Kurt Simonsen
July 11, 2025 AT 21:27

This is why I hate football now. 🤡 Fluminense? More like Fluminense-2024-Fluke-Season. Al Hilal had 12 clear chances. The ref missed 3 offsides. The VAR was asleep. And now they’re talking about "soul"? Please. This is a joke. 😂
Shelby Mitchell
July 12, 2025 AT 21:27

honestly just happy they made it
Antony Delagarza
July 13, 2025 AT 05:21

You people are ridiculous. This isn’t some fairy tale. This is a scam. Fluminense got lucky. The Saudi team was tired from travel. The refs were biased. The stadium lights were flickering. And now everyone’s acting like they beat Manchester United? Wake up. This is orchestrated. Someone paid off the draw. Someone paid off the linesmen. Someone paid off the entire tournament. You think FIFA lets a team from Brazil win the Club World Cup? Come on. This is a setup for a Netflix docu-series. They’re already filming the final.

Fluminense Stuns Al Hilal to Reach FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals

Fluminense's Surprising Run Continues

Veteran Leaders and Rising Stars Shine

Fluminense Stuns Al Hilal to Reach FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals

13 Comments

Murray Hill

Bruce Wallwin

Letetia Mullenix

Morgan Skinner

Rachel Marr

Kasey Lexenstar

Trevor Mahoney

Jitendra Patil

Michelle Kaltenberg

Jared Ferreira

Kurt Simonsen

Shelby Mitchell

Antony Delagarza

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