In a FIFA Club World Cup™ that has delivered eye-popping results, Fluminense FC have registered one of the most significant following their 2-0 victory over FC Internazionale Milano in the last 16 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
An early header from German Cano put the Brazilian side in dreamland, and stout defending carried them the rest of the way until a late insurance goal from Hercules cemented the epic triumph. The Argentinian striker displayed his natural goalscoring instinct in hunting for the early opener.
“I am so happy that I was able to get a goal that was very important for us to keep growing into the game,” Cano told FIFA. “It was a play that originated on the wing and a cross into the area in which the goalkeeper wasn’t sure whether to come out or not. I was able to get in there and score with a header. So I’m very happy for the goal and for getting to the quarter-finals.”
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Fluminense join Palmeiras as Brazilian clubs reaching the final eight of the tournament. In the wake of Botafogo’s 1-0 group stage win against Paris Saint-Germain, both 2024/25 UEFA Champions League finalists have now suffered defeats to Brazilian teams, and Fluminense remain unbeaten against European sides in this Club World Cup after previously drawing with Borussia Dortmund.
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“We are playing in one of the best leagues in the world,” said Cano. “For me, Brazil is among them. We are very competitive and we are here because we believe in the work that we do daily as a team. We believe that we can do big things, and today we put Brazil on top of the world because we were able to advance to the quarter-finals of such a difficult competition. I have to congratulate all of my team-mates because we gave a great effort.”
While Cano & Co did the damage up top, veteran centre-back Thiago Silva anchored a back-line that kept the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram under wraps.
The 40-year-old defender was all smiles afterwards, joking with FIFA that the older players on the squad like himself will make the most of their recovery time before their Friday quarter-final in Orlando.
“I think we’ve played very well in this competition, it’s not easy to play against European teams, but the motivation for us is different,” said Thiago Silva. “I’m very proud of my team and myself as well because ten days ago I had a hamstring injury. It was not easy to play today.
“Now we need to recover well because after three or four days we have to play again. I’m not young, you know? So I need to recover well.”
