Inter Milan 0-2 Fluminense: Brazilian Side Stun Italian Giants in Club World Cup Round of 16

Brazilian club Fluminense pulled off a major upset at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Italian side Inter Milan 2-0 in the Round of 16 on Monday, June 30, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, USA.

The match got off to a dramatic start when Fluminense scored in just the third minute. A deflected cross from Jhon Arias caused confusion in the Inter defense, allowing Germán Cano to head the ball past goalkeeper Yann Sommer following a miscommunication with Matteo Darmian. The early breakthrough gave the South American side a crucial advantage and set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

Inter Milan responded with sustained possession—nearly 68% over the course of the match—but struggled to convert their dominance into meaningful chances. Despite the efforts of key players like Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Inter lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Their best opportunity came in the 82nd minute when Martínez hit the post with a powerful strike, but the equalizer never came.

Fluminense briefly thought they had doubled their lead late in the first half when Felipe Melo’s header found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Still, the Brazilian side remained composed, staying organized at the back and threatening on the counterattack.

Their efforts were rewarded in stoppage time. As Inter pushed forward in search of a goal, substitute Hércules struck in the 93rd minute, firing home from the edge of the box after a quick counter. The goal sealed a memorable 2-0 win for Fluminense and eliminated one of the tournament’s biggest names.

The result means Fluminense move on to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Manchester City vs. Al-Hilal. For Inter Milan, it marks a bitter end to their Club World Cup hopes and compounds what has been a disappointing conclusion to their 2024–25 season, having finished second in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.