Hércules’ goal against Al Hilal secured Fluminense a spot in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, which could be against their Brazilian counterpart.
Hércules’ winner ensured Fluminense beat Al Hilal 2-1 in the Club World Cup on Friday, after an emotional start to the game.
The emotion before Friday evening’s match could not be contained. João Cancelo and Rúben Neves were visibly upset during the minute’s silence held for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who both died in a car accident in Spain on Thursday.
Fluminense will play either their Brazilian counterpart Palmeiras or Chelsea in the semi-final, as their match kicks off later on Friday evening.
Marcos Leonardo’s effort was not enough to secure Al Hilal’s progression in the tournament, as Simone Inzaghi’s side will return to Saudi Arabia empty-handed.
Fluminense and Al Hilal previously knocked out Champions League finalists Inter Milan and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the round of 16, respectively, for what turned out to be a very unlikely contest in the quarter-final of the Club World Cup.
Simone Inzaghi retained an unchanged squad with match-winner Marcos Leonardo leading the line. Fluminense made one change, as Renê made way for Gabriel Fuentes on the left flank.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched on as both sides tried to establish themselves in the opening quarter-hour, but unlike their previous fixtures, the scoreline remained goalless.
When players headed towards the dugout for the cooling break on the half-hour mark, there was nothing to show Mr Infantino but a couple of yellow cards accumulated by Sergej Milinković-Savić and Renan Lodi.
A goal from Matheus Martinelli in the 40th minute put Fluminense 1-0 ahead after an initial cross from Samuel Xavier was kept in play by Cancelo. Fuentes collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and played in Martinelli, whose shot fired past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Kalidou Koulibaly could have equalised for Al Hilal just before half time following a free kick from Neves, but Fábio prevented the ball from sneaking into the bottom left corner.
A VAR check could have been Inzaghi’s saviour when Xavier was believed to have fouled Leonardo inside the penalty area. Referee Danny Makkelie dismissed the Saudi Arabian side’s protest, later blowing the whistle for half-time.
The start of the second half saw Leonardo equalise for Al Hilal after Koulibaly missed his opportunity presented to him by Neves’ corner, but the Brazilian striker’s effort hit the back of the net.
Immediately afterwards, Fluminense could have gone back ahead, but Germán Cano missed a one-on-one against Bounou when Jhon Arias threaded the ball through to the 37-year-old forward.
However, super-sub Hércules struck again for Fluminense in the 70th minute as the Brazilian side regained their advantage against Al Hilal. The 24-year-old midfielder scored a late goal against Inter Milan on Monday, which secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Brazil’s impressive run in the competition continues as Fluminense fended off Al Hilal until full time, beating them 2-1.
Following their success in the Copa Libertadores, four different Brazilian teams earned the biggest prize in South American football over the last four years, as they entered the competition with the most representatives from a single country.
They all progressed to the round of 16, but now only two remain, as Palmeiras will learn their fate against Chelsea later on Friday evening, for what could be an all-Brazilian semi-final.
FLU: Fábio; Ignácio, Thiago Silva, Freytes; Xavier, Martinelli, Bernal, Fuentes; Nonato; Arias, Cano
HIL: Bounou; João Cancelo, Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, Renan Lodi, Al-Harbi; Milinković-Savić, Kanno, Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Leonardo
