ORLANDO, FLORIDA (SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-JUNE 14-JULY 13, 2025)-Top-Brazilian club " Fluminense" defeated Al Hilal(Saudi Arabia) 2-1, in the quarterfinals knock-out rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup, and during a Friday's afternoon game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

With the win, Fluminense advances to the semifinals of the tournament to face Chelsea F.C. (England) who defeated Palmeiras 2-1, in the other quarterfinal game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

The Saudis outperformed the Brazilians in game stats but Fluminense scored two goals to claim the 2-1, victory and advance to the semifinals.

Both teams traded counter-attacks in the first 15' of the game without any danger to either goal until Fluminense's midfielder Jhon Arias passed a long pass to Gustavo Nonato, who intercepted the ball and from inside the 18' kicked a left-footed over the crossbar for first clear opportunity to open the score at 18' mark.

With 5' remaining in the half, Brazilian's Jhon Arias from the right-side field corner centered the ball inside the penalty box, and Saudis' defender Joao Cancelo in a effort to clear the ball gave it to Fluminense's Gabriel Fuentes who immediately passed it to Mattheus Martinelli who scored with left-footed to the upper-right goalpost corner to put the Brazilians 1-0, at halftime.

In the first 5' minute of the second half, Al Hilal found the equalizer through striker Marcos Leonardo at 51' mark. The goal play was originated through a corner-kick by midfielder Ruben Neves who centered the ball just outside the 6-yard box, finding defender Kalidou Koulibaly who headed it to Leonardo who was standing inside the 6-yard box and scored with a right-footed to the left-side goalpost for his 4rd goal of the tournament and tie the game 1-1, while sending the Saudis fan in Euphoria celebration. 

Three minutes later, Fluminense almost went ahead in the score when the Saudi's defender Renan Lodi in trying to give the ball back to his goalkeeper was intercepted by forward German Cano, who all alone facing the goalkeeper inside the penalty box failed a shot a goal at 55' mark.

Fluminense kept the pressure, and during counter attack through the left-side field, midfielder Hercules stole the ball from Leonardo, and shot at goal bouncing-off Saudis defender Neves' foot to Fluminense's defender Samuel Xavier who headed it to Hercules and scored with a right-footed to the opposite left-goalpost from inside the penalty box to secure the 2-1, victory for the Brazilians over Al-Hilal (Saudi-Arabia).


With the 2-1, victory, Fluminense advances to the Semifinals to face Chelsea F.C.(England) who defeated Palmeiras (Brazil) 2-1, in the other other quarterfinal game on Tues. June 08, @ MetLife Stadium.



Photo & Article By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated