Fluminense secured a 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Friday, eliminating the Saudi Arabian side from the Club World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Despite the defeat, much of the spotlight fell on Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, whose outstanding individual display was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing evening for Al-Hilal.
The former Sevilla shot-stopper, already instrumental in his side’s stunning win over Manchester City in the previous round, once again delivered a commanding performance between the posts.
Bounou produced a string of crucial saves, particularly during the second half, which kept Al-Hilal in contention until the final whistle.
His quick reflexes, composure under pressure, and leadership from the back prevented a more one-sided scoreline, earning him praise as one of the standout goalkeepers of the tournament.
Al-Hilal, who had entered the match buoyed by their shock triumph over European champions Manchester City, found Fluminense a more tactically disciplined opponent.
The Brazilian side, under the guidance of Renato Gaúcho, implemented a tightly-organised defensive structure to frustrate their opponents and reduce space in key areas.
Fluminense’s tactical blueprint bore a strong resemblance to the approach used in their earlier encounter with Inter Milan.
Once again, they opted for a compact defensive setup designed to nullify Al-Hilal’s attacking rhythm.
Although the Saudis dominated possession, they struggled to break through, unable to convert territory into meaningful chances.
In the opening 45 minutes, neither side managed to gain full control of the contest. Fluminense’s counterattacking efforts lacked sharpness, while Al-Hilal’s patient build-up play often faltered in the final third. However, the match took a dramatic turn early in the second half.
A misplaced pass by João Cancelo allowed Martinelli to pounce on the error, driving forward and unleashing a thunderous strike that beat Bounou and put Fluminense ahead.
The goal marked a significant shift in momentum, energising the Brazilian side and unsettling the Saudi defence.
Shortly afterwards, Fluminense’s veteran goalkeeper Fábio, now 44, proved age is no barrier to impact at the highest level.
When Kalidou Koulibaly, the Senegalese international defender, connected with a powerful close-range header, Fábio reacted superbly to deny what seemed a certain equaliser.
It was a pivotal moment that underscored the value of experience on nights of such magnitude.
Although Al-Hilal pushed forward in search of a response, Fluminense managed the closing stages with composure, absorbing pressure and closing down space with discipline.
The Saudi side’s final attempts were either repelled by the defence or safely handled by the Fluminense goalkeeper.
For Fluminense, the result not only secures a place in the semi-finals but reaffirms their reputation as a tactically astute and mentally resilient team.
For Al-Hilal, there is disappointment in their early exit, but also pride in a campaign that included a historic win over Manchester City.
And for Yassine Bounou, his performances throughout the competition have served as a reminder of his world-class abilities.
Though his Club World Cup journey ends here, he departs with his reputation further enhanced as one of the tournament’s outstanding performers.
