Al-Hilal Exits FIFA Club World Cup After Defeat to Fluminense
Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal was eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup following a 2-1 loss to Brazilian side Fluminense on Friday, July 4.
Al-Hilal had performed admirably in the tournament, having reached the quarter-finals after a historic victory over Manchester City, winning 4-3 in the Round of 16. Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo stood out in that match, scoring two goals, while Malcolm and Kalidou Koulibaly also made significant contributions. This victory raised hopes among Saudi fans for a landmark achievement, particularly as Al-Hilal finished second in their group with 5 points, trailing only Real Madrid. Their group stage results included a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, a goalless draw with Red Bull Salzburg, and a 2-0 win over Mexico’s Pachuca.
Fluminense advanced to the quarter-finals with a convincing 2-0 win against Italian club Inter Milan. The Brazilian team has remained unbeaten for an extended period, making them a formidable opponent.
Match Summary
The match commenced at 10 PM local time at the Camp Nou Stadium, with fans expecting a strong performance from Al-Hilal. However, Fluminense controlled much of the first half, capitalizing on a defensive error from João Cancelo to take the lead with a goal from Martinelli in the 40th minute. Al-Hilal appeared cautious in their play and struggled with the fatigue of key players, including Salem Al-Dosari and Aleksandar Mitrović, who were sidelined due to injuries.
In the second half, Al-Hilal sought to respond aggressively. They pressed Fluminense’s defense, and in the 51st minute, Marcos Leonardo scored the equalizer, continuing his impressive run in the tournament. However, Fluminense quickly regained the lead with a goal from Hercules Pereira in the 70th minute, exploiting a defensive lapse. This goal effectively dashed Al-Hilal’s hopes for a comeback, concluding the match with a final score of 2-1 in favor of the Brazilian team.
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