Al Hilal exit Club World Cup after narrow defeat to Fluminense
ORLANDO — Al Hilal's dream run at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to an end in the quarterfinals on Friday, as the Saudi giants fell 2-1 to Brazil's Fluminense at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Despite their stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over Manchester City in the Round of 16, hailed as one of the greatest results in the tournament's history, Hilal could not overcome the reigning Copa Libertadores champions.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli (40') and substitute Hercules Pereira (70') sealed Fluminense's win, while Marcos Leonardo (51') netted the lone goal for Hilal.
The result ends Al Hilal's run as the final Arab representative in the competition, following earlier exits by Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Espérance de Tunis, and Al Ain in the group stage.
The loss also marked the first defeat under new head coach Simone Inzaghi, who had guided Hilal through four unbeaten matches since taking over in early June.Fluminense will now face the winner of Palmeiras vs Chelsea in the semifinals on July 8 in New York's MetLife Stadium.Al Hilal entered the match unchanged from their triumph over City, with newly signed striker Abderrazak Hamdallah starting on the bench.The team remained without several key players due to injury, including Aleksandar Mitrović and Salem Al-Dawsari.In a first half of few clear chances, Fluminense capitalized on a defensive error by João Cancelo, with Martinelli curling his shot past Yassine Bounou into the far corner in the 40th minute.Al Hilal nearly equalized in stoppage time through Kalidou Koulibaly's header, but their penalty appeal moments later was overturned after VAR review.Leonardo brought Al Hilal level early in the second half, pouncing on a loose ball in the box after a Koulibaly header.The Brazilian striker's fourth goal of the tournament briefly lifted the Saudi side, but Fluminense regained the lead in the 70th minute when Pereira slotted home after a headed pass from Samuel Xavier.Inzaghi responded by bringing on Hamdallah, but the Brazilian side maintained control and nearly extended their lead.Al Hilal, visibly fatigued after their extra-time battle against Manchester City, pushed for a late equalizer but couldn't find the breakthrough.Despite the loss, Al Hilal's performance in the tournament, especially the shock win over the Premier League champions, will be remembered as a historic moment in Saudi and Asian football.
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