Fluminense 2–0 Inter: Thiago Silva’s Veteran Class Ends Italian Dream

⚽ Match Recap: Fluminense 2–0 Inter Milan

📅 Date: June 30, 2025 • 📍 Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Brazil’s Fluminense pulled off a stunning upset over European champions Inter Milan, booking their spot in the quarter-finals with a 2–0 victory.

🔢 Key Match Stats

Final Score: Fluminense 2 – 0 Inter Milan
Possession: Inter dominated with 68 %, but couldn’t convert
Shots (on goal): Inter 16 (6) – Fluminense 11 (4)
Corners: Inter 5 – Fluminense 2
Yellow Cards: Inter 2, Fluminense 4
Saves: Inter keeper Yann Sommer made only 2; Fluminense’s Fábio recorded 4

🚨 Goals & Highlights

3rd minute: Germán Cano heads home from a deflected Jhon Arias cross—slotting beneath Sommer’s legs
90+3′: Substitute Hércules seals the win with a low drive into the far corner .

Inter’s best chances came late, with Lautaro Martínez hitting the post and pressing hard—despite several attempts being saved or blocked .

🎯 Tactical Breakdown

Fluminense set up in a compact 3-5-2 under Renato Gaúcho, designed to absorb pressure and hit quickly on breaks .

Defensive solidity: Led by captain Thiago Silva (40), the defence nullified Inter’s attacking influence .
Press & conversion: Early pressing in the first five minutes created that crucial opener, swinging momentum in Fluminense’s favour .

🗞️ Post‑Match Fallout: Reactions & Rumors

👴 Thiago Silva celebrates

The veteran skipper relished the win against a Champions League finalist, even cheekily thinking of AC Milan fans watching Inter go down .

🔥 Lautaro vs Calhanoglu

Inter captain Lautaro Martínez didn’t hold back post-match:

“Whoever doesn’t want to be here should leave” .

Italian media and club president Beppe Marotta implied his comments targeted Hakan Çalhanoğlu, whose Inter future is now in the balance .

Çalhanoğlu responded via social media, rejecting insinuations—explaining he missed the tournament due to a muscle tear sustained during training in the U.S., reaffirming his commitment to Inter .

😬 Chivu’s reflections

Similarly, coach Cristian Chivu admitted Fluminense’s system outplayed his side:

“We didn’t expect them to play five at the back… It wasn’t our day” .

📈 What This Means

Inter Milan exit at this stage continues a trophyless season following their Champions League final defeat—leaving fans and management with serious questions for the summer ahead .
Fluminense, now among the last eight, advance to face either Manchester City or Al‑Hilal in Orlando on July 4–5 .

🏁 Final Thoughts

Fluminense’s combination of tactical discipline, early pressing, and late-game composure sealed a full‑blooded upset. Inter had all the ball, but lacked the cutting edge. Key sections of the club—from players to the board—now face tough decisions, especially amid the high-profile verbal exchange between Lautaro and Çalhanoğlu.

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