CHARLOTTE—Brazilian champions Fluminense turned Bank of America Stadium into a South American outpost on Monday night, dismissing Inter Milan 2-0 and marching straight into the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals.
The Cariocas landed their first punch inside ten minutes. Striker Germán Cano ghosted between Nerazzurri centre-backs to glance in a point-blank header, jolting a sell-out Charlotte crowd and forcing the Italians into chase mode for the remaining 80 minutes.
Inter threw numbers forward after the break—pinning Thiago Silva’s back-line against its own penalty arc—but the 40-year-old captain rolled back the years with a masterclass in positional discipline, blocking crosses, barking orders, and dragging teammates through a wave of blue-black pressure.
Just when Simone Inzaghi’s men looked closest to equalising, Fluminense struck again. Substitute Hércules pounced on a loose clearance in the 88th minute, side-footing past Yann Sommer to slam the door on Inter’s campaign.
The victory cements Flu as the second Brazilian side in the last eight—Palmeiras had already secured safe passage—and sets up a Friday date in Orlando against the winner of Manchester City v. Al-Hilal.
“They played a Champions League final less than a month ago. Respect is due—but tonight we showed why South American football still matters,” Silva told DAZN, sweat still dripping from his armband.
Winger Jhon Arias, named man of the match, echoed the sentiment. “We’re carrying an entire continent on our backs. Victories like this lift Brazil and South America alike.”
Fluminense’s triumph adds another notch to Brazil’s belt in the tournament’s U.S. debut: earlier group-stage shocks saw Botafogo topple PSG and Flamengo outduel Chelsea. Europe has been warned—Latin America’s heavyweights arrived with teeth bared.
