Brazil’s Fluminense face Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the first of the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Who: Fluminense vs Al Hilal
What: FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Where: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States
When: Friday, July 4 at 3pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 12pm local (16:00 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream.
The first of the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals is set to captivate fans, pitting South American giants Fluminense against Asian powerhouse Al Hilal. Both teams have made significant strides in this tournament, often against the odds, showcasing their determination and skill on the global stage.
### How Did Fluminense Reach the Quarterfinals?
Fluminense’s journey to the quarterfinals has been nothing short of impressive. They finished second in Group H, trailing only behind Borussia Dortmund. Their performance included a hard-fought victory against Ulsan and draws against Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the round of 16, they faced off against the formidable Inter Milan, who had just come off a strong campaign in the Champions League. Fluminense shocked the football world with a stunning 2-0 win, thanks to a third-minute goal from German Cano and a late strike from Hercules in injury time. This victory not only propelled them into the quarterfinals but also raised questions about their potential as dark horses in this tournament.
### Who Did Al Hilal Beat to Reach the Quarterfinals?
On the other side, Al Hilal secured their place in the knockout rounds by finishing second in Group H, behind Spanish giants Real Madrid. Their group stage performance included draws against both Real Madrid and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg, along with a victory over Mexico’s Pachuca.
Al Hilal faced a daunting challenge in the round of 16 against Manchester City, the defending Club World Cup champions. In a thrilling encounter, Al Hilal displayed extraordinary resilience, winning 4-3 after extra time. This match is already being hailed as one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history and has surely infused the team with a good measure of confidence going forward.
### Who Could Fluminense or Al Hilal Face in the Semifinal?
The winner of this match will take on the victor of the second quarterfinal featuring England’s Chelsea and Brazil’s Palmeiras. This adds an additional layer of intensity to the upcoming clash, as both teams will be keen to prove themselves against top-tier opposition.
### Who Completes the Club World Cup Quarterfinal Lineup?
The remaining quarterfinals will see Paris Saint-Germain face Bayern Munich and Real Madrid go head-to-head with Borussia Dortmund. The winners of these matches will then meet in the semifinals, creating a potential path of explosive encounters for the teams that advance.
### Fluminense Captain Thiago Silva’s Pre-Match Thoughts
Thiago Silva, the Fluminense captain, expressed pride in his team’s journey so far. “I think we’ve played very well in this competition. It’s not easy to play against European teams, but our motivation is different,” he stated. Silva is recovering from a hamstring injury, emphasizing the need for proper recovery as the schedule heats up.
### Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo’s Pre-Match Thoughts
For Al Hilal, Marcos Leonardo has emerged as a critical player, especially after scoring twice against Manchester City. He reflected on the emotional weight of his performance, stating, “When I scored those goals, I thought of my mother, who spent 70 days in the Intensive Care Unit. Today, she’s fine, and she was able to watch the match.” Such sentiments can provide extra motivation for players aiming for glory.
### Fluminense Team News
Fluminense will be without left-back Rene, who is suspended for the quarterfinal following his second booking of the tournament. This could influence their defensive strategy as they look to maintain their momentum.
### Al Hilal Team News
Al Hilal is cautiously optimistic as well, with Musab Al-Juwayr making a comeback from his knee injury during the last match. However, they face uncertainty with captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who has picked up a hamstring issue that may sideline him further in the tournament.
### Head-to-Head
Interestingly, this matchup marks the first meeting between Fluminense and Al Hilal. Both teams will be eager to make history with a memorable performance.
### Form Guide
Fluminense has been in excellent form, boasting three wins and two draws in their last five games. Meanwhile, Al Hilal has also shown resilience, with three wins, two draws, and a recent win against formidable opponents.
### Potential Lineups
**Fluminense’s Potential Starting Lineup:**
– Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva (C), Freytes, Fuentes; Martinelli, Hercules; Arias, Nonato, Canobbio; Cano
**Al Hilal’s Potential Starting Lineup:**
– Bounou; Joao Cancelo, Al-Harbi, Koulibaly, Renan Lodi; Nasser Al-Dawsari, Ruben Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Malcom, Marcos Leonardo, Kanno (C)
As the match approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an electrifying clash between two footballing cultures, each fueled by the ambition to etch their names into the annals of Club World Cup history.
