Al-Hilal targeting fourth semi-final appearance in CWC

Marcos Leonardo of Al Hilal (L) and Ruben Neves of Al Hilal (R) celebrate the goal with Kalidou Koulibaly of Al Hilal (C) during the first extra time period of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Manchester City and Al Hilal in Orlando, Florida, USA, 30 June 2025. EPA/MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jul 04, 2025. 13:00

Kalidou Koulibaly’s Al-Hilal will be looking to reach the Club World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time when they take on Fluminense at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Friday, July 4.

The Blue Waves also featured in the 2019, 2021 and 2022 editions, making it to the penultimate stage on each occasion, while they contested the final against Real Madrid most recently which ended in a 5-3 defeat.

Senegal captain Koulibaly was on target for Simone Inzaghi’s side as they pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over Manchester City after extra time in the round of 16 to book a quarter-final date with the Tricolor.

The Saudi Pro League giants are still unbeaten after four matches and Inzaghi is impressed with the way his players have applied themselves since his took over the reins on June 4.

“It is barely three weeks that we are together and you can see the level of application, they really put the effort in,” the Italian said.

“As a coach clearly that is very satisfying. The lads delivered that performance, they have reached the quarter-finals.”

Fluminense beat Inter Milan 2-0 to qualify for the last eight and have also maintained their unbeaten run in the United States.

The Brazilian club are making their second appearance in the intercontinental competition, having gone all the way to the final in 2023 when they lost 4-0 to Manchester City.

Then on Saturday, July 5, Nicolas Jackson’s Chelsea will renew hostilities against Palmeiras at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The two teams battled it out for the title in the 2021 edition when the Blues emerged 2-1 victors to lift the trophy for the first time.

Enzo Maresca’s side had to dig deep to get past Benfica in the round of 16, scoring three goals in extra time to come away with a 4-1 win.

The Big Green also needed extra time to see off Brazilian rivals Botafogo in the previous round, with Paulinho scoring the all-important goal in the 100th minute to clinch a 1-0 victory.