The Digest:
Fluminense of Brazil and Chelsea of the Premier League have officially secured their spots in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, following intense quarter-final clashes in the United States. These victories set the stage for an anticipated showdown between the two clubs on Tuesday, July 8.
Key Points:
- Brazil's Fluminense advanced by defeating Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 2-1, with substitute Hercules scoring the winning goal in the 70th minute.
- Matheus Martinelli initially put Fluminense ahead, but Marcos Leonardo equalized for Al Hilal before Hercules secured the victory.
- Chelsea edged past Brazil's Palmeiras with a 2-1 win, sealed by a late own goal from goalkeeper Weverton.
- Teenage Brazilian forward Estevao Willian, who is set to join Chelsea after the tournament, impressed by canceling out Cole Palmer's opener with a brilliant 53rd-minute finish.
- Chelsea and Fluminense will now face each other in the first semi-final match on Tuesday, July 8.
- Before the matches, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, who died in a car accident.
- The remaining quarter-final matches will see Paris Saint-Germain take on Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund face Real Madrid.
Sources : Vanguard, BBC
