CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Fluminense delivered a masterclass in composure and counter-punching on Monday night, dispatching Inter Milan 2-0 and punching their ticket to the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
Rather than sitting back, the Rio side struck first: nine minutes in, sharpshooter Germán Cano ghosted behind Inter’s back line to nod home a pinpoint cross. From that moment on, the Italian heavyweights dominated possession but discovered that monopolizing the ball is useless when Thiago Silva, still imperious at 40, organizes the defense. Wave after wave of Nerazzurri pressure crashed against a green-and-maroon wall.
Inter’s frustration turned into desperation in the dying minutes, and Fluminense pounced. Substitute Hércules—introduced to add fresh legs—finished a slick breakaway to seal the result and ignite Brazilian celebrations across Bank of America Stadium.
Fresh off their 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph, “Flu” becomes the second Brazilian club to reach the last eight, joining Palmeiras. Next stop: Orlando, where they will meet the winner of Manchester City versus Al-Hilal on Friday.
“We just beat a team that was in the Champions League final a few weeks ago,” Silva told DAZN with a satisfied smile. “But we never doubted ourselves.”
The win continues a South American surge on U.S. soil—Botafogo stunned PSG, Flamengo topped Chelsea, and now Fluminense has clipped Inter. Man-of-the-Match Jhon Arias captured the mood succinctly: “Tonight we carried not only our badge but an entire continent on our shoulders—and we’re not done yet.”
