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Get to Know 2025 FIFA Club World Cup - Day 18 Highlights


Sat 05 Jul 2025 | 12:48 PM
Rana Atef

Day 18 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup brought the quarter-finals to life with two gripping matchups. South American flair clashed with tactical powerhouses, as Fluminense stunned Al Hilal, while Chelsea outlasted Palmeiras in a tightly contested affair to set up a thrilling semi-final showdown.

Fluminense 2–1 Al Hilal

Fluminense booked their spot in the semi-finals with a well-earned 2–1 victory over Saudi giants Al Hilal at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. 

The Brazilian side took control late in the first half, when Matheus Martinelli broke the deadlock in the 40th minute with a powerful low finish following a smart through ball from Marcelo.

Al Hilal responded quickly after the break. In the 51st minute, Marcos Leonardo brought the Saudi side level with a composed strike inside the box, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. But just as momentum seemed to shift in Hilal’s favor, Fluminense struck back.

Hércules, introduced as a substitute, found space in the 70th minute to calmly slot home the winner after a sharp one-two combination with Cano on the edge of the area. Despite Hilal pushing for a late equalizer, Fluminense held firm with disciplined defending and excellent goalkeeping from Fábio.

A moment of silence was observed before kickoff in memory of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother, who tragically passed away earlier in the week—a gesture that added a somber emotional note to the night’s action.

Chelsea 2–1 Palmeiras

Chelsea edged past Palmeiras 2–1 in a tense quarter-final clash at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with the Premier League side showing grit and composure under pressure.

The Blues took the lead in the 16th minute through Cole Palmer, who timed his run perfectly to latch onto a low cross from Raheem Sterling and guided the ball into the bottom corner. Chelsea controlled the tempo early on but were pegged back shortly after halftime.

In the 53rd minute, Estêvão—Palmeiras’ 17-year-old sensation and future Chelsea signing—brought the match level with a stunning solo effort, cutting inside from the right wing and curling a shot into the far corner. The equalizer energized the Brazilian side, but Chelsea regained their composure.

The winning goal came in the 83rd minute, when a cross from Malo Gusto deflected off Palmeiras defender Agustín Giay and looped past goalkeeper Weverton for an unfortunate own goal. Chelsea managed the remaining minutes expertly, keeping possession and frustrating Palmeiras' final efforts.

Robert Sánchez made key saves in the closing stages, while Enzo Fernández was instrumental in controlling midfield. With the win, Chelsea advance to face Fluminense in the semi-finals—a mouth-watering Brazil vs. England clash.

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