Fluminense Shocks Inter Milan to Reach Club World Cup Quarterfinals

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In one of the most surprising results of the newly expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Brazilian side Fluminense defeated European powerhouse Inter Milan 2–0 on Monday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Goals from German Cano early in the match and Hercules in stoppage time sealed the win in front of a roaring crowd in the southern United States.

This victory sends Fluminense, the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, into the last eight of the tournament alongside fellow Brazilian side Palmeiras, while Inter Milan—runners-up in the 2024 UEFA Champions League—suffered another major setback on the international stage.

Early Lead: Cano Scores Within 3 Minutes to Stun Inter

The match began under hot and humid conditions at Bank of America Stadium, with temperatures soaring close to 35°C (95°F), testing the endurance of both squads. But Fluminense wasted no time asserting their presence.

In just the third minute, striker German Cano, who has been instrumental in the club’s recent success, opened the scoring. The goal came after a deflected cross from the right was mishandled by Inter’s defense. Cano reacted quickest, heading the ball low between the legs of Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer from close range to give the Brazilian side an early 1–0 lead.

The goal electrified the Fluminense fans in the stadium and placed immediate pressure on Inter Milan, who were widely considered favorites before kickoff.

Sommer Tested Repeatedly as Fluminense Dominates First Half Chances

Despite having less possession, Fluminense looked far more threatening in attack throughout the first half. In the 30th minute, Colombian winger Jhon Arias unleashed a low shot that Sommer could only parry away. Defender Samuel Xavier pounced on the rebound but missed just wide of the far post.

Nine minutes later, it seemed as if Ignacio had doubled Fluminense’s lead with a composed finish inside the penalty area. However, the goal was chalked off after the automated VAR offside system found him marginally ahead of the last defender.

Although Inter Milan enjoyed the majority of the ball—over 60% possession in the first half—they struggled to break through Fluminense’s compact defense, often resorting to long-range efforts or wide crosses that failed to connect.

Inter Milan’s Second-Half Efforts Fall Short

The second half saw Inter Milan pushing higher up the pitch in search of an equalizer. Head coach Cristian Chivu, a former Romanian international, adjusted his tactics by introducing a more attacking setup, switching to a 4-4-2 formation with two forwards up front.

However, Fluminense remained compact in defense and dangerous on the counterattack. In the 62nd minute, Arias once again tested Sommer with a powerful shot from outside the box. The veteran goalkeeper made a full-stretch save to his left, just managing to tip the ball around the post.

Inter Milan’s most dangerous opportunities came from Lautaro Martínez, their captain and top scorer. Between the 80th and 82nd minutes, Martínez forced Fabio, Fluminense’s 44-year-old goalkeeper, into two back-to-back saves. The first was a low drive to the far post; the second was a close-range header. Moments later, he struck the post with a curling effort, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Despite the push, Inter Milan simply couldn’t find the back of the net.

Hercules Seals the Win with a Late Strike

Just as the match was heading into injury time and Inter Milan were still hoping for an equalizer, Fluminense struck again to put the game beyond reach.

Following a long throw-in, substitute midfielder Hercules found himself in space just outside the 18-yard box. With remarkable composure, he took a touch, looked up, and drove a low shot into the bottom right corner, beating Sommer to make it 2–0 in the 91st minute.

The Fluminense fans erupted into celebration as the goal confirmed their team’s progress into the quarterfinals. For Inter Milan, it was the final blow in a frustrating and disjointed performance.

Thiago Silva’s Comeback Inspires Victory

A major emotional moment for Fluminense came with the return of veteran defender and captain Thiago Silva, who recently rejoined the club after more than a decade in Europe, where he played for AC Milan, PSG, and Chelsea.

Silva revealed after the match that he had just recovered from a recent injury, making his participation a last-minute decision.

“I’m very proud of my team and teammates,” Silva told DAZN in a post-match interview. “Ten days ago, I had an injury, and it wasn’t easy to play today. But I am very happy with the medical team … it was very, very important for me to play today.”

The 39-year-old led by example, organizing the defense and helping to shut down the attacking threats of Inter Milan.

Chivu Reflects on Missed Chances and Tactical Surprises

After the match, Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu expressed disappointment but praised his team for their effort.

“We didn’t give up; we tried until the end,” he said. “We made tactical changes, even in the formation. But it just wasn’t our day.”

Chivu admitted his squad was caught off guard by Fluminense’s tactical setup.

“We didn’t expect them to play with five at the back,” he added. “They were very organized in a low block, and that made it hard for us to break them down. In the second half, we tried to go wider, use more crosses, and bring on another striker, but they defended well.”

The loss is Inter’s second major defeat in a month, following their 5-0 loss to PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, and adds to the pressure on Chivu, who is in his first season in charge of the senior squad.

What’s Next: Quarterfinal Showdown Awaits

With this result, Fluminense joins Palmeiras as Brazil’s two representatives in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Club World Cup. Their next opponent will be the winner of the match between Manchester City (England) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), scheduled later on the same day.

If Manchester City, the reigning champions, advance, it would set up a high-stakes rematch of the 2023 Club World Cup final, in which City beat Fluminense 4–0 in a dominant performance.

The 2025 edition marks the first time FIFA has implemented a 32-team format for the Club World Cup, modeled after the traditional men’s World Cup. The tournament brings together champions from various continents and includes both group and knockout stages. The expanded competition format has introduced more opportunities for underdog teams to make their mark.