SportsPosted at: Jul 1 2025 3:18PM


Al Hilal, Fluminense reach Club World Cup quarters

New York, July 1 (UNI) Al Hilal and Fluminense set up a Club World Cup quarterfinal meeting after eliminating Manchester City and Inter Milan on a day of upsets in the United States.
The teams will clash in Orlando on Friday after Al Hilal edged City in extra time and Fluminense saw off Inter with a goal in each half.
Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo scored twice, including a 112th-minute winner, as Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal clinched a 4-3 victory over City in Monday's late round-of-16 fixture.
The Premier League club led early through Bernardo Silva before Al Hilal responded with goals from Leonardo and Malcom at Camping World Stadium.
Erling Haaland brought City level in a frenetic second half, and the sides traded further goals in extra time through Kalidou Koulibaly and substitute Phil Foden.
"It was an incredible night," Leonardo said. "We faced a great team, one of the best in the world. That makes this result very special."
The former Santos and Benfica player dedicated his performance to his mother, who is recovering from illness.
"These last few months have been difficult," the 22-year-old said.
"My mother was sick and in hospital. She is fine now, thankfully. When I scored those two goals,
I thought of her. Today she was able to watch the game. We have to value family. Today was rewarding. If it weren't for my parents, I wouldn't be here."
City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his team was beaten by a better opponent and said he could not fault his players' commitment.
"At this stage, they are all difficult games," the Spaniard said. "We allowed them to create transitions but we created a lot and in general we were good. "It's a pity. We were in such a good place and I cannot say thank you enough to the staff, how they train and prepare, they have given everything."
Earlier on Monday, goals from German Cano and Hercules gave Brazil's Fluminense a 2-0 win over Inter Milan in Charlotte.
Argentine striker Cano opened the scoring in the third minute with a close-range header following Jhon Arias' deflected cross from the right wing.
A decision by Fluminense manager Renato Portaluppi to deploy three center-backs - Ignacio,
Freytes and 40-year-old Thiago Silva - suffocated Inter Milan's attack for much of the match,
denying the Italian side space and any clear path to goal.
Despite Fluminense's effective defensive tactics, Inter carved out a series of late chances, with Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco both hitting the woodwork.
Substitute Hercules put the result beyond doubt in the 93rd minute as he collected a loose ball and - with Inter Milan's defense retreating - advanced unchallenged into the box before firing low into the far corner.
"Despite the limited time we had to prepare, the players believed in the new formation," Portaluppi told reporters.
"I put it in their heads that it would work. Inter has a great team. They have much more money than us, but on the field it's 11 against 11. The group believed, fought, and stayed focused for the 90 minutes."
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu did not hide his disappointment and questioned his team's
attitude early in the match.
"We didn't start off the way a team that wanted to give their all on the pitch should," he said.
"We suffered from the intensity and pressure they brought. We were a bit presumptuous, looking
to play pretty football when we could have done things simply." "We tried to turn it around right until the end. In the end, we conceded two goals from three shots on target," he added.
UNI/XINHUA BM
Tags: #Al Hilal# Fluminense reach Club World Cup quarters
More News

Neeraj Chopra felicitated by Karnataka Athletics Association

01 Jul 2025 | 10:14 PM

Bengaluru, July 1 (UNI) Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra was honoured today in a special felicitation ceremony organised by the Karnataka Athletics Association at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

see more..

There is no Pressure, it is my responsibility towards the Team: Bengal Warriorz’s Devank Dalal

01 Jul 2025 | 10:03 PM

Kolkata, July 1 (UNI) The Bengal Warriorz, owned by Capri Sports, have begun preparing for what is expected to be an exciting season of the Pro Kabaddi League.

see more..

Bumrah call by evening, two spinners possible: Gill

01 Jul 2025 | 10:02 PM

Birmingham, July 1 (UNI) India captain Shubman Gill on Tuesday confirmed that premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection, but the final decision on his inclusion will be taken in the evening after assessing pitch and weather conditions.

see more..

Top 10 star Musetti crashes out at Wimbledon 2025

01 Jul 2025 | 10:01 PM

London, July 1 (UNI) Last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist, Lorenzo Musetti, became the third Top 10 seed to suffer a shock first-round exit at The Championships this year, as Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili today stunned the seventh seed 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Court No 2.

see more..

World Boxing Cup– Astana: India's Sakshi, Jaismine, Lakshya Chahar Advance

01 Jul 2025 | 9:30 PM

Astana, July 1 (UNI) India’s strong start at the World Boxing Cup–Astana, Kazakhstan 2025 gained further ground with Sakshi, Lakshya Chahar, and Jaismine advancing to the quarterfinals on Tuesday following their preliminary victories at the Beeline Arena in Astana.

see more..