Posted: Tuesday, July 1, 2025. 8:56 am CST.
Marcos Leonardo scored a brace to lead Al Hilal to a shocking 4-3 extra time win over Manchester City on Monday, June 30, 2025. Photo Credit: FIFA Club World Cup 2025
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup exploded into life on Monday with two dramatic Round of 16 encounters that sent shockwaves through the tournament. Brazilian side Fluminense delivered a disciplined and clinical performance to dispatch Inter Milan 2–0, while Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal stunned reigning European champions Manchester City in a pulsating 4–3 extra-time thriller.
At Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Fluminense struck early and late to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Germán Cano opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to head home from close range. Despite Inter dominating possession, Fluminense’s compact defensive shape held firm throughout. The result was sealed deep into stoppage time when Hércules fired in a left-footed strike in the 90+3rd minute, capping a resolute display from the Brazilian outfit.
Later in the evening at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Al-Hilal and Manchester City produced a seven-goal spectacle that will be remembered as one of the tournament’s all-time classics. Bernardo Silva gave City the lead in the 9th minute, but Al-Hilal responded with a second-half surge. Marcos Leonardo equalized in the 46th minute before Malcom put the Saudis ahead in the 52nd. Erling Haaland leveled for City in the 55th, only for Kalidou Koulibaly to restore Al-Hilal’s lead with a towering header in the 94th minute. Phil Foden made it 3–3 in the 104th, but Leonardo struck again in the 112th minute to complete his brace and send Al-Hilal into the last eight.
With these results, the quarterfinal lineup is beginning to take shape. Fluminense will now face Al-Hilal in a South American–Asian showdown on Friday, July 4 at 1:00 pm. Later that evening, Palmeiras take on Chelsea at 7:00 pm. Saturday’s fixtures will see Paris Saint-Germain meet Bayern Munich at 10:00 am, while the final quarterfinal slot will be filled following Tuesday’s matches between Real Madrid and Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey.
The stage is set for a thrilling quarterfinal round, with continental champions and dark horses alike vying for global supremacy.
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The post FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fluminense, Al-Hilal march on as Quarterfinal stage takes shape appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, July 1, 2025. 8:56 am CST. Marcos Leonardo scored a brace to lead Al Hilal to a shocking 4-3 extra time win over Manchester
The post FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fluminense, Al-Hilal march on as Quarterfinal stage takes shape appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
