Internazionale 0-2 Fluminense: Brazilian club stun Inter Milan to reach FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals

Fluminense produced a huge moment at the FIFA Club World Cup as they knocked out European giants and recent UEFA Champions League finalists Internazionale, winning a hard-fought contest 2-0 in North Carolina.

Goals on three minutes and 93 minutes sealed the historic win for the club from Rio de Janeiro, and those strikes bookended a supreme defensive effort as Fluminense defied strong pressure from Inter in very hot and testing conditions in Charlotte.

A high-tempo and high pressing start caught Inter cold as Fluminense pounced high to win the ball and a deflected cross was headed home from close range by Germán Cano.

And the game was wrapped up late on by a decent strike by substitute Hércules, shooting into the bottom corner when given too much space in stoppage time by an Inter Milan side who were throwing everything at getting an equaliser.

Inter missed a number of decent chances and struck the woodwork twice as they pushed hard, particularly in the second half, but Fluminense always remained a threat on the break, especially through the excellent Jhon Arias, and also had a goal disallowed for offside in one of their forays forward.

Fluminense will meet either Manchester City or Al-Hilal in Orlando in the quarter-finals.

Fluminense will play the winner of the game coming up later tonight between Manchester City and Al-Hilal. Pep Guardiola’s team have been probably the standout side of the tournament so far and are clear favourites to win. Fluminense would relish the opportunity to take on City’s star-studded squad and will set out with a similar game-plan if it is indeed the English club who join them in the quarter-finals.

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This tournament was expected to be dominated by a European contingent who travelled to the USA as much for the financial reward as for the sporting desire to compete in this event. But Brazil’s clubs have brought plenty to the event, with all four of the teams for Brazil reaching the knockout stage, and now two of those progressing to the quarter-finals. It’s clearly a tournament that the Brazilian clubs are very keen to make an impact at, and this result will have the biggest impact so far – a victory over the UEFA Champions League finalists. Fluminense’s fine tournament continues, and on this evidence they will be a tricky opponent in the last eight.

The final whistle goes and Fluminense’s players, coaches and fans celebrate a massive win that sends them through to the quarter-finals of this FIFA Club World Cup. What a moment!

It’s just not Inter’s game tonight as Dimarco crashes a powerful shot off the woodwork. That’s the second time Inter have struck the frame in this game, but it’s just not to be for them.

The goal does finally come… but it’s at the other end! What a moment for Fluminense, as they catch Inter short at the back. A poor clearance breaks for Hércules in the final third in acres of space, and he pushes forward to the edge of the box before shooting across the keeper and into the bottom corner! It’s completely against the run of play but surely it wraps this up for Fluminense now! 2-0!

The ball breaks to Carlos Augusto in space on the edge of the box, but he leans back and sends a terrific chance over the bar.

There will be seven minutes added on at the end of this game. Can Inter find a stoppage time goal in a tournament where they have made a habit of scoring late?

The seconds tick away with Fluminense on the brink of a huge result. Inter continue to dominate possession and territory, but they can’t find the breakthrough.

Jhon Arias has been incredible today and he does superbly to hold the ball up and draw in Barella to give away a free-kick down by the corner flag.

The cards have dried up slightly in this game and we’re thankfully still at 11 versus 11, but a tactical foul from Santos gives the ref no choice but to get the yellow out again.

The Brazilian side have a rare attack in this second half as they catch Inter overstretched, with Lima shooting over.

Lautaro is getting closer and closer, picking up the ball away and getting a shot away under big pressure. He beats the keeper on this occasion, but sees his effort hit the inside of the post and fizz across the face of goal, very nearly hitting the back of the sprawling keeper on its way to safety. That was so close!

Fluminense’s goalkeeper makes two saves in a matter of moments to deny Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, the second one an exceptional stop. The pressure is building all the time but Inter still can’t find the equaliser.

A long ball over the top has Fluminense opened up, but Thiago Silva is the only one to read it and he makes a terrific tackle to come away with the ball. The veteran defender is still a top player even at this, the tail-end of his lengthy career.

Another foul gives Inter a free-kick in a dangerous area and Dimarco curls a gorgeous effort towards goal that has the keeper extremely worried as it drifts agonisingly wide. It's time for a cooling break.

Inter get the ball into the box and it bobbles around, with nobody able to get a shot away before Fluminense hack it clear.

Bastoni, who must be close to a second yellow, is replaced by Carlos Augusto.

Inter get the ball in and Lautaro rises high at the back post, knocking it down to put it on a plate for De Vrij… who shoots wide from point-blank range. His teammate can barely believe it and punches the air in frustration.