Bounou, Koulibaly and Al Hilal’s FIFA Club World Cup dream run comes to an end against Fluminense

After stunning the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City, Saudi club Al Hilal’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup run came to end at the quarterfinal stage on Friday following a 1-2 defeat to Brazil’s Fluminense at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

70′ HERCULEEEEEES! 💥

Fluminense’s hero goes for it twice, and puts Fluzão back in front! 🇭🇺🔥 pic.twitter.com/8XzEUUoszR

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 4, 2025

In the 70th minute, Fluminense substitute Hercules got on the end of a headed pass from Samuel Xavier and produced a finish to beat in form goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Hilal’s Moroccan shot stopper produced a couple more impressive saves but failed to replicate the invincibility seen earlier in the competition that was essential to Hilal’s surprise run.

40′ MARTINELLIIIIIIIIIIIII 🇭🇺@FluminenseFC leads 1-0 thanks to a wonder goal from the Brazilian. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Z23SR61KQY

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 4, 2025

A drab first half saw few opportunities but it was a perfect example of why Fluminense have thrived in the United States. A strong defensive performance from the Brazilian club saw them rewarded in the 40th minute when Martinelli’s long range drive went beyond the reach of Bounou.

The frustrating first half for Hilal was summarized well when Senegalese central defender Kalidou Koulibaly, scorer against Manchester City, saw his header somehow saved by a spectacular effort from ageless Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio just before halftime.

45+1′ FÁBIO, ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 😱

The Brazilian keeper denies Koulibaly with an unbelievable save! 🧤🔥 pic.twitter.com/EuMxY7EAME

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 4, 2025

But Hilal did show plenty of the fight that earned them success against two titans of European club football. Just like their game against Manchester City, the Saudi club coached by Filippo Inzaghi came out with fire in the second half and managed to equalize through Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, who arrived to finish after Koulibaly got on the end of a corner kick.

51′ Marcos Leonardo strikes again! 💥

Al-Hilal levels it early in the second half. This one’s far from over! 😤 pic.twitter.com/ecVMCxAFlH

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 4, 2025

The second half was a fierce battle with little to separate the teams. However, the decisive moment arrived when Hercules finished to put Hilal into a winning position. The Saudi club made a frantic push for an equalizer late but could not find a breakthrough, also being denied a potential penalty kick in the final moments when referee Danny Makkelie waved off an appeal after Koulibaly went down.

Fluminense, led by Thiago Silva, advance to the semifinals where they will face the winner of Friday’s later quarterfinal between fellow Brazilian club Palmeiras and English giants Chelsea. The semifinal will take place in New Jersey on July 8 (20:00 GMT).

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