Fluminense secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in Orlando on Friday, advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals where they will face Chelsea. The match featured VAR controversies, tactical shifts, and a late winner that kept fans on edge until the final whistle.
Brazilian midfielder Matheus Martinelli opened the scoring with a curling strike in the 40th minute, capitalizing on Gabriel Fuentes' precise assist. Al Hilal thought they'd earned a first-half penalty during stoppage time, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
The Saudi Pro League side equalized six minutes after halftime through Marcos Leonardo's close-range header, but Fluminense's Hercules delivered the decisive blow in the 70th minute with a powerful right-footed finish. Al Hilal's late appeals for penalties, including a yellow card for Kalidou Koulibaly's perceived dive, proved fruitless.
Koulibaly expressed frustration post-match, questioning VAR consistency: "If you check it in the first half, you should check it in the second." The result sets up an intriguing intercontinental clash as South American champions Fluminense prepare to meet European titans Chelsea on December 18.
