Brazilian club Fluminense have reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup. They beat Inter Milan 2-0 in the round of 16 in Charlotte on Monday. A first-half header from German Cano and a last-minute goal from substitute Hercules gave the Rio-based club the win.
Fluminense, led by 40-year-old captain Thiago Silva, took the lead inside three minutes. Cano headed home a deflected cross from John Arias. Arias was later named man of the match. The Brazilian champions, who had withstood the Italian club’s strong second-half attacks, were held off by Hercules’ stoppage-time goal. It was another historic win for the South American side at the tournament in the USA, following the group stage defeats of Botafogo and Flamengo.
Inter, who arrived under new coach Cristian Chivu after a 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League final, struggled to find their rhythm. They hit the post twice and had several chances through Lautaro Martinez, but they were unable to get past experienced goalkeeper Fabio. Fluminense will now face Al-Hilal in the quarter-finals, will be played in Orlando on Friday.
