Get ready for the opening quarter-final clash at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with our Fluminense vs Al-Hilal preview and prediction.
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Fluminense vs Al-Hilal: Preview
Heading into the round of 16, many anticipated a blockbuster quarter-final showdown between European heavyweights Manchester City and Internazionale.
However, football had other plans. In a stunning turn of events, both clubs were eliminated by the underdog duo of Fluminense and Al-Hilal. These two surprise packages now go head-to-head for a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where a clash with either Chelsea or Palmeiras awaits.
Fluminense pulled off one of the tournament’s most shocking results, eliminating Serie A powerhouse Inter with a 2-0 victory. Remarkably, the Opta Power Rankings had Fluminense trailing their Italian opponents by a staggering 174 places before kickoff. Yet, an early strike from Germán Cano and a late clincher from Hércules, combined with a disciplined defensive display, ensured Renato Gaúcho’s men advanced in style.
That triumph also stretched Fluminense’s unbeaten streak across all competitions to 10 games (7 wins, 3 draws).
Al-Hilal booked their place in the quarter-finals with a pulsating 4-3 extra-time triumph over Manchester City — widely regarded as the most thrilling encounter of the tournament so far. The dramatic showdown in Orlando reached its crescendo in the 112th minute, when Marcos Leonardo fired home the decisive goal. With that victory, Al-Hilal etched their name into the history books as the first Asian side to defeat a European opponent in the Club World Cup.
Much like Fluminense, the Saudi outfit is enjoying a rich vein of form. They are currently unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions (W6, D3), a streak dating back to early May.
Interestingly, the wild 4-3 win over City marked the third occasion during that unbeaten run that Al-Hilal have shipped three goals — and yet, they’ve emerged victorious each time.
The nature of their success against Guardiola’s side was particularly eye-catching. Al-Hilal produced 3.16 expected goals (xG) in the contest — the third-highest non-penalty xG ever conceded by a Manchester City side under Pep Guardiola. Only Real Madrid’s 3.30 xG in February 2025 surpasses it over the past five years.
Despite being second-best in several key metrics — including total shots (30-17), possession (31%), and box touches (71 to their 29) — Al-Hilal carved out more big chances (7-6) and converted four of their six shots on target.
While this will be the first-ever meeting between Fluminense and Al-Hilal, it marks the fifth time a Brazilian and Saudi Arabian side will face off in the Club World Cup. Al-Hilal were involved in two of the previous four such clashes — falling to Flamengo in the 2019 semi-finals but exacting revenge against the same side in the 2022 final four.
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal: Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Brazilian outfit Fluminense and Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal: Recent Form
- Fluminense: DWDW
- Al-Hilal: DDWW
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Fluminense – Team News
Fluminense’s journey to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup has been nothing short of dramatic. After securing a second-place finish in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund, they delivered one of the tournament’s most compelling performances by eliminating Inter Milan — last season’s UEFA Champions League runners-up — with a composed 2-0 win in the Round of 16.
An early breakthrough from Germán Cano, followed by a superb late strike from substitute Hércules, sealed a memorable victory for the Brazilians. The goals came at crucial moments — Cano striking within minutes of kickoff, and Hércules delivering a clinical finish in stoppage time — capping off a defensively resolute performance in Charlotte.
The upcoming showdown in Orlando will mark the first-ever encounter between Fluminense and Al-Hilal, both of whom advanced by knocking out European powerhouses in dramatic fashion. However, Fluminense will be without left-back René, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the competition in the previous round.
Fluminense – Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2)
- Goalkeeper – Fábio
- Defenders – Ignácio, Thiago Silva, Freytes
- Midfielders – Samuel Xavier, Martinelli, Bernal, Canobbio
- Forwards – Nonato, Arias, Cano
Al-Hilal – Team News
No matter the outcome against Fluminense, Al-Hilal’s dramatic Round of 16 triumph over Manchester City has already carved out its place in tournament history. The Saudi Arabian side pulled off a jaw-dropping upset in a seven-goal classic, with Marcos Leonardo firing home the decisive goal in the 112th minute to knock out Pep Guardiola’s reigning European champions.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the victory, head coach Simone Inzaghi remarked, “We had to do something extraordinary because we all know Manchester City. We had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we made it. All the players were exceptional in everything, in the possession phase, the non-possession phase.”
Al-Hilal now shift their focus to a high-stakes quarter-final against Fluminense, with a spot in the semi-finals — and a clash against either Chelsea or Palmeiras — up for grabs.
While they enter the tie riding the momentum of their historic win, squad updates present a mixed picture. Midfielder Musab Al Juwayr has returned from a knee injury and made a late cameo against City, providing a timely boost. However, captain Salem Al Dawsari is expected to miss the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring issue, leaving a leadership void in Al-Hilal’s ranks.
Al-Hilal – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper – Bounou
- Defenders – Cancelo, Koulibaly, Moteb, Lodi
- Midfielders – Neves, Dawsari, Milinkovic-Savic
- Forwards – Kanno, Malcom, Leonardo
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal: Prediction
There’s a compelling narrative surrounding both teams making it to the semi-finals, and the matchup feels evenly balanced, making it incredibly tough to predict.
While Fluminense and Al-Hilal both boast impressive talent across the pitch, the Saudi side might just carry their momentum from that unforgettable victory over Manchester City into this clash. Another nail-biting contest could be on the cards, with Al-Hilal perhaps finding the winner in extra time once again.
Score Prediction: Fluminense 1-2 Al-Hilal (AET)
When and Where to Watch Fluminense vs Al-Hilal LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
Catch Fluminense vs Al-Hilal and every 2025 Club World Cup Quarter-Final match live for free on DAZN from 12:30 AM IST on Saturday, July 5 at the Camping World Stadium, located in Orlando, Florida.
If you’re already a DAZN user — whether on a paid plan or a free account — the tournament is included in your subscription.
New to DAZN? Simply sign up with your email to create a free account and start streaming.
Download the DAZN app on your smart TV, smartphone, tablet, gaming console, or streaming device to watch anytime, anywhere.
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal: Squads
Fluminense
Fábio, Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Ignácio, Facundo Bernal, Renê, Yeferson Soteldo, Matheus Martinelli, Everaldo, Ganso, Keno, Gabriel Fuentes, Germán Cano, Nonato, Agustín Canobbio, Rubén Lezcano, Joaquín Lavega, Jhon Arias, Juan Pablo Freytes, Guga, Manoel, Marcelo Pitaluga, Riquelme, Thiago Santos, Hércules, Isaque, Lima, Gustavo Ramalho, Wallace Davi, Paulo Baya, Kevin Serna, Vitor Eudes.
Head Coach: Renato Gaúcho
Al-Hilal
Yassine Bounou, Mohammed Al Yami, Abdulelah Al Ghamdi, Ahmad Aburasyin, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al Bulayhi, Renan Lodi, João Cancelo, Khalifah Al Dawsari, Yasser Al Shahrani, Moteb Al Harbi, Rayan Al Ghamdi, Saleh Barnawi, Saud Haroun, Saad Al Muthary, Ali Lajami, Hassan Al Tambakti, Hamad Al Yami, Mohammed Al Qahtani, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Rúben Neves, Musab Al Juwayr, Salem Al Dawsari, Nasser Al Dawsari, Mohamed Kanno, Malcom, Abdulellah Al-Malki, Abdulaziz Hadhood, Mohammed Abdullah Muhaysh, Kaio César, Khalid Al-Ghannam, Marcos Leonardo, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Abdullah Al Hamddan, Turki Al Ghumayl.
Head Coach: Simone Inzaghi
Read More: La Liga 2025-26 Fixtures Released: First El Clasico Set for October 27 at Bernabéu
FAQs
When is the Fluminense vs Al-Hilal quarter-final match?
The match is scheduled to be played in Orlando from 12:30 AM IST on Saturday, July 5.
Have Fluminense and Al-Hilal ever faced each other before?
No, this will be their first-ever competitive meeting.
Who scored the winning goals in the Round of 16 for both teams?
Germán Cano and Hércules scored for Fluminense; Marcos Leonardo netted Al-Hilal’s extra-time winner.
Which key players are missing for this match?
Fluminense will be without René due to suspension; Al-Hilal might miss captain Salem Al-Dawsari due to injury.
Who will the winner face in the semi-finals?
The victor will go on to face either Chelsea or Palmeiras in the semi-final stage.
