Fluminense brings energy as global powers meet at FIFA Club World Cup in Charlotte
South America met Europe in Charlotte with a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals on the line.
And Fluminense FC — the Brazilian powerhouse riding a wave of momentum — got the job done.
Fluminense earned a 2-0 win over Italian giant Inter Milan Monday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium, extending its unbeaten streak to 10 matches and advancing to face either Manchester City or Al Hilal in Friday’s quarterfinal.
Germán Cano, the Argentina-born striker, and 24-year-old midfielder Hércules scored Fluminense’s goals in the third and 93rd minutes.
Veteran goalkeeper Fábio posted a clean sheet, recording four saves.
Inter Milan can’t break through
It didn’t take long for Fluminense to strike.
In just the third minute, a deflected pass from the edge of the penalty area redirected into the six-yard box — catching Inter’s back line flat-footed. Cano timed his run perfectly and headed it home, giving the Brazilian side an early 1-0 lead.
The Nerazzurri — Inter’s nickname, which translates to “the black and blues” — finished with a 16-11 edge in shots but couldn’t capitalize.
Despite stretches of pressure, Inter’s attack lacked sharpness. And defensively, the Italian side looked vulnerable against Fluminense’s fluid and creative front line.
It marked the first time Inter was kept scoreless since this year’s UEFA Champions League final, a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
In second-half stoppage time, Hércules sealed the win. He carried the ball into the penalty area and ripped a low shot into the back of the net — igniting celebrations from the green-and-red faithful.
Brazilian fans make Charlotte feel like home
Fluminense supporters made their presence felt from the opening whistle.
The section behind the goal nearest Charlotte’s skyline was packed with waving green and red flags, drums and nonstop chants. Even through the blistering midday North Carolina heat, their passion never let up.
Banners displayed across the stands represented Brazilian fans living across the United States, including “New York Flu,” “Flu Boston” and “Texas Flu.”
Black-and-blue Inter Milan jerseys were spotted around uptown throughout the day, but not necessarily in the numbers that matched Fluminense’s traveling support.
Even the Savannah Bananas were in the crowd — players signed autographs and took photos with fans before the match.
This was the first time an Italian and Brazilian club met in any format of the FIFA Club World Cup since the 1993 Intercontinental Cup, when São Paulo defeated AC Milan, 3-2.
Now, Fluminense — chasing international hardware to pair with its recent success — could face 2023 UEFA Champions League winners Manchester City, depending on the result of Monday night’s Round of 16 match.
