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Fluminense players celebrate their first goal during their FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal match against Al Hilal in Orlando, Florida, USA, July 4, 2025. /VCG
Hercules scored the winner as Fluminense beat Al Hilal 2-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup in Orlando on Friday, securing a place for the Brazilian side in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals.
Fluminense broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, when Matheus Martinelli curled the ball into the top far corner, assisted by Gabriel Fuentes.
Al Hilal was awarded a penalty in the stoppage time of the first half after a tangle of legs, but the referee's decision was revoked by VAR.
The Saudi side found the equalizer in the 51st minute as Kalidou Koulibaly headed the ball into the goal area, allowing Marcos Leonardo to score his fourth goal of the tournament.
However, Al Hilal failed to repeat their comeback victory over Manchester City once again, as Fluminense re-took the lead in the 70th minute, after Hercules netted with a powerful right-footed shot.
In the last 15 minutes, Al Hilal players constantly fell down in the box and asked for penalties. But they couldn't convince the referee and Koulibaly was shown a yellow card for diving.
In the mixed zone, Koulibaly spoke with confusion. "We did everything to win. Fluminense played very well defensively. I don't understand [referee's decision]. I think everyone saw it, but I don't know why the referee didn't go to check the VAR for me [in the second half]."
"Sometimes we want to accept everything, but when you lose like this, I think it was a shame, because it was the chance of our life. I think the referee didn't do his job," Koulibaly added. "If you check the VAR in the first half, you should check it in the second half."
Chelsea's Cole Palmer #10 (C) celebrates after scoring the first goal during their FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal match against Palmeiras in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, July 4, 2025. /VCG
Fluminense is set to play against the Chelsea in the semifinal in East Rutherford on Tuesday, after the Blues beat Palmeiras 2-1 later on Friday in Philadelphia.
An 83rd-minute shot by Chelsea's Malo Gusto from the right side deflected off Palmeiras defenders Richard Rios and Agustin Giay. Goalkeeper Weverton was unable to control the caroming ball before it went into the net.
Cole Palmer scored his first of the tournament in the 16th minute for Chelsea before Estevao, who will join the Blues after the tournament, tied it in the 53rd minute.
Palmer had been criticized by the Chelsea fans for his lack of production despite leading the team in shots on goal during the tournament.
He proved his worth on the goal, taking a pass from Trevoh Chalobah and dribbling from just outside the box to 15 yards out before scoring with a left-footed strike.
But Chelsea fans didn't know whether to cheer or cry when Estevao tied it with a brilliant tight-angle shot for the equalizer. He made a verbal agreement with Chelsea in May 2024 but was not permitted to move to England until he turned 18 on April 24, delaying his transfer to the current window. The clubs arranged that he would remain with Palmeiras until their tournament run ended.
The Blues will face Fluminense without forward Liam Delap and defender Levi Colwill, both players drew a second yellow of the tournament to warrant a one-match suspension.