Fluminense advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al Hilal on Friday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Hercules, a second-half substitute, scored the decisive goal in the 70th minute, securing the win for the Brazilian side.

The match saw physical play early on, with both teams receiving yellow cards in the first half. Fluminense took the lead late in the first half after a poor clearance from Al Hilal, allowing Martinelli to score. Al Hilal responded early in the second half, with Marcos Leonardo netting his fourth goal of the tournament to equalize. However, Hercules, who came on as a substitute, re-established Fluminense's lead with a composed finish in the 70th minute.

Al Hilal had a penalty kick overturned in the first half after a VAR review. Despite Al Hilal's pressure in the final stages, Fluminense held on to secure the victory.

Fluminense's coach, Renato Portaluppi, praised his team's reaction and highlighted Hercules' impact after bringing him off the bench. Fluminense will now face either Chelsea or Palmeiras in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Al Hilal's coach, Simone Inzaghi, acknowledged his team's efforts despite the loss.

Fluminense, who had previously eliminated Inter Milan, continued their impressive run in the tournament. Al Hilal, who had defeated Manchester City in the previous round, were unable to overcome the Brazilian side.

The match was closely contested, with both teams having opportunities to score. Ultimately, Fluminense capitalized on their chances and secured a memorable win.

Thiago Silva, Fluminense's captain, expressed his pride in the team's performance and acknowledged the difficulty of the competition. He also reflected on his own longevity in the sport.

The victory has earned Fluminense a significant financial reward, adding to their earnings from the tournament.