Club World Cup: Hercules' Winner Knocks Out Al Hilal, Fluminense Enter Semis

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Last Updated:July 05, 2025, 09:30 IST

Al Hilal mounted intense pressure in the final minutes, producing several corners as they desperately sought to keep their dream alive, but Fluminense held on for the victory.

Fluminense's Matheus Martinelli celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal. (AP Photo)

Substitute Hercules scored a decisive goal in the 70th minute, leading Brazil’s Fluminense to a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on Friday, securing their spot in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup. Matheus Martinelli’s impressive left-footed finish had given the Rio club the lead in the 40th minute, but Al Hilal’s Brazilian forward, Marcos Leonardo, equalised six minutes into the second half before Hercules stole the limelight, thrilling most of the 43,091 spectators.

Fluminense will face Chelsea for a place in the semifinal.

Al Hilal had achieved the biggest upset of the tournament by beating Manchester City 4-3 to reach the last eight, and Simone Inzaghi’s team fought hard to keep their journey alive.

They exit the tournament unbeaten in the group stage, including a draw against Real Madrid, and have left a significant mark on the global stage.

Before the kick-off, there was a moment of silence in memory of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, who tragically died early Thursday morning after their car veered off a motorway in Spain and caught fire.

Al Hilal’s squad included two of Jota’s Portugal teammates, Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo.

The first half was a close and tactical contest with few opportunities until Martinelli broke the deadlock, receiving the ball from Gabriel Fuentes inside the box and creating space for a powerful left-foot shot that soared past Yassine Bounou.

Al Hilal nearly responded quickly when Kalidou Koulibaly’s header prompted a fine save from Fluminense’s 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio.

The Saudi team was awarded a penalty when Samuel Xavier was judged to have fouled Marcos Leonardo in the box, but Dutch referee Danny Makkelie overturned his decision after reviewing the incident on the monitor and finding no contact between the players.

Al-Hilal’s Response

Trailing by a goal at halftime, Al Hilal started the second half strongly and equalised when Koulibaly headed a Neves corner to Marcos Leonardo, who converted the chance.

Al Hilal’s Brazilian full-back Renan Lodi had a narrow escape when his poor backpass reached German Cano, but Fluminense’s striker was thwarted by the quick reflexes of Moroccan keeper Bounou.

The match was decided with 20 minutes remaining when half-time substitute Hercules had a shot blocked, but Samuel headed the loose ball back to him, allowing him to charge into the box and score past Bounou to make it 2-1.

Al Hilal mounted intense pressure in the final minutes, producing several corners as they desperately sought to keep their dream alive, but Fluminense deservedly held on for the victory.

“We didn’t have many chances, but we maximised them. The entire group worked hard and showed commitment," said Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho.

“Our fans in the USA and Brazil can be proud, and I urge them to wear the jersey wherever they are – in the mall, street, or beach. They should all be proud to wear that shirt," he added.

The Fluminense coach praised the performance of 40-year-old central defender Thiago Silva, who helped the team withstand Al Hilal’s second-half pressure.

“Thiago Silva is crucial for us. I worked with him 15 years ago. He acts as a coach on the pitch, providing calm and experience to the others. He is our captain and a leader, and in tough matches against big clubs, his presence is vital. He is key and fundamental," he said.

Al Hilal coach Inzaghi lamented his team’s unfortunate loss.

“It has been a good World Cup for us, but we leave with a bitter taste because, given what happened in the second half, we deserved much more," he said. “It was a tight match, decided by moments, as often happens in football. Fluminense are a very organised team, having an excellent tournament," he concluded.

With AFP Inputs

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