Fluminense Holds On to Beat Al Hilal 2-1 and Reach Club World Cup Semi-Finals

Fluminense advances to the Club World Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Al Hilal. Find out what's next for the Tricolor.

Fluminense edged out Al Hilal 2-1 in a closely contested match, securing their spot in the Club World Cup semi-finals. The Brazilian side held off the Saudi Arabian team's efforts, ultimately emerging victorious in a tight affair.

The match was marked by periods of possession-based football, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Despite the lack of attacking threat, Fluminense's determination and resilience ultimately paid off, allowing them to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Tricolor remain unbeaten at the #FIFACWC 😮‍💨

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 4, 2025

Nonito was eventually brought down by Jhon Arias, but his shot went wide of the target. At the other end, Nasser Al-Dawsari's effort was blocked by Ignácio. The defensive solidity on display came at a price, as Renan Lodi and Juan Freytes both received bookings either side of the break, putting them in danger of missing the semi-final if Fluminense progressed.

Fluminense's breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Matheus Martinelli scored with a precise finish. The goal started with Gabriel Fuentes' clever pass, which was initially poked away by Facundo Bernal's toe. However, Martinelli was there to capitalize on the loose ball, firing a shot into the top corner that sparked jubilant celebrations among the Fluminense players and fans.

Martinelli's celebration was short-lived as he received a booking three minutes later, ruling him out of the next round. However, Fluminense breathed a sigh of relief before halftime thanks to two crucial interventions. Fábio made a stunning save to deny Kalidou Koulibaly, and a VAR review spared Samuel Xavier from a penalty call, giving Fluminense a welcome reprieve heading into the break.

Al Hilal's push for an equalizer paid off six minutes into the second half. Marcos Leonardo controlled Kalidou Koulibaly's header from Rúben Neves' corner and unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the six-yard box, which found its way into the net.

Yassine Bounou made a crucial save soon after, outsmarting Germán Cano to deny Fluminense a potential second goal after Renan Lodi's error had threatened to put his team further ahead.

In the 70th minute, Hercules had a moment of brilliance, first having an ambitious shot blocked, but then capitalizing on Xavier's header to clinically finish and restore Fluminense's lead.

The match was paused for a cooling break, but the intensity picked up again soon after. Fluminense's goalkeeper, Fábio, made a notable save, stopping a venomous shot. However, the Tricolor's momentum was slightly disrupted when their right-back was forced off due to an injury.

🇭🇺 @FluminenseFC into the #FIFACWC final four.

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— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) July 4, 2025

Despite missing their right-back, Fluminense held firm against Al Hilal's relentless crossing attempts, securing a win and extending their unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions. The victory sets up a semi-final clash against either Palmeiras or Chelsea.

Fluminense's win also marked Al Hilal's first defeat in 10 games, a testament to the Brazilian side's resilience and determination. The Tricolor's defensive solidity ultimately paid off, allowing them to progress to the next stage of the tournament.