In a shocking turn of events at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Brazilian side Fluminense stunned European giants Inter Milan with a 2–0 victory in the Round of 16, ending the Nerazzurri’s campaign earlier than anyone expected.
Inter Becomes First European Team Eliminated by Non-European Opposition
With this loss, Inter Milan has the unfortunate distinction of being the first European team to be knocked out by non-European opponents in this year’s tournament. Earlier in the competition, Portuguese club Benfica also exited at the same stage, but only after an extra-time defeat to fellow European side Chelsea.
For newly appointed Inter boss Cristian Chivu, who took charge in June, this was his first major tournament with the club, and it ended in disappointment.
“We must build from what we did right today,” Chivu said in his post-match interview. “The coaching staff is still getting to know the squad and building chemistry. There’s a lot of work ahead, but we’re confident in this group’s potential. When we’re fully fit and united, we can still be competitive.”
Veteran Clash: Fluminense Out-Age Inter and Outplay Them
Despite Inter’s reputation as an experienced, composed side with a starting XI averaging 29.7 years of age, it was Fluminense who took the veteran narrative even further and made it work. The Brazilian side’s starting lineup had an average age of 30.8, featuring several players well into their 30s, including 44-year-old goalkeeper Fábio and 40-year-old captain Thiago Silva.
And it was one of their elder statesmen who struck early.
Just three minutes into the match, Fluminense took a surprise lead. Right-back Arias whipped in a low cross that deflected off an Inter defender, but 37-year-old striker Germán Cano reacted first, heading the ball past Yann Sommer to give the Brazilians a 1–0 advantage.
Inter controlled possession (60%) and created numerous chances, taking a total of 16 shots, with four on target, but they were repeatedly denied by the evergreen Fábio in goal. Their luck also deserted them in front of goal, with Lautaro Martínez hitting the post in the 83rd minute and Federico Dimarco striking the woodwork again deep into stoppage time.
Fluminense briefly thought they had doubled their lead in the first half through Ignacio, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. But in injury time, substitute John Kennedy’s persistence created a chance for Yony González, who slammed home to seal the win at 2–0.
Cano: “Today, We Put Brazil on Top of the World”
After the match, goal-scorer Cano couldn’t contain his pride: “Today, we put Brazil on top of the world. Beating a club like Inter in a tournament of this magnitude proves our strength. We never stopped believing.”
With this win, Fluminense advances to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal, a team that shocked everyone by eliminating the reigning champions, Manchester City, 4–3 after extra time in the previous round.
As European clubs fall and underdogs rise, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be full of surprises. And with Fluminense marching forward, the dream of a South American champion is alive and well.
