Fluminense 4-2 Ulsan: Fluminense edge out spirited Ulsan HD in six-goal thriller
Sociedade Esportiva Fluminense fought back from a goal down to defeat Ulsan HD FC 4-2 in a pulsating FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. With the win, the Brazilian giants took a big step towards the knockout stages, while South Korean champions Ulsan saw their Club World Cup campaign end in disappointment.
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True to their Brazilian DNA, Fluminense began the match with intensity and fluid attacking football. Within two minutes, Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo had already been called into action twice — first denying a sharp volley from Paulo Henrique Ganso, then pulling off a sensational acrobatic save from the resulting corner.
The pressure didn’t relent, and the South American champions eventually found their breakthrough in the 27th minute. Colombian winger Jhon Arias stepped up and blasted a thunderous free-kick into the top corner, leaving Jo with no chance and lighting up the MetLife crowd.
It looked as though Fluminense would go on to dominate, especially with Gabriel Fuentes and Juan Pablo Freytes also going close. However, football often defies expectation.
Ulsan flip the script with late first-half blitz
Despite being on the back foot, Ulsan stunned Fluminense with two quickfire goals before halftime. In the 41st minute, a swift counter-attack led to Lee Jin-hyun pouncing on a mis-hit from Um Won-sang, firing it coolly past a stranded Fluminense defense.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Lee returned the favor with a pinpoint delivery that found Um, who made no mistake with a powerful header. Just like that, Ulsan HD turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 halftime lead, leaving Fluminense’s defense shell-shocked.
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Manager Renato Gaúcho knew he needed changes. Just before the hour mark, he introduced a trio of substitutes — including midfielder Nonato — in a bid to shift momentum. The impact was immediate.
In the 66th minute, Nonato found space at the edge of the area and curled in a composed finish to level the score. It was a textbook example of a game-changing substitution, and Fluminense smelled blood.
Their continued pressure paid off in the 83rd minute when defender Juan Pablo Freytes, who had earlier gone close, latched onto Germán Cano’s cross-shot and rifled the ball home to restore the lead at 3-2.
Keno seals it in stoppage time as Fluminense rise
Ulsan pushed forward desperately in search of an equalizer, but they were caught out once again in stoppage time. This time it was Keno who sealed the deal for the Brazilians, rising highest to meet another precise cross from Arias and heading past Jo Hyeon-woo for Fluminense’s fourth goal of the night.
With that, Fluminense walked off 4-2 winners, securing all three points and sending themselves to the top of Group F.
Group Implications: Ulsan crash out, Fluminense take control
With the loss, Ulsan HD FC sit bottom of Group F with zero points from two matches, confirming their early exit from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Despite flashes of brilliance from players like Lee and Um, their defensive lapses proved costly.
Fluminense, meanwhile, now sit in pole position to qualify for the knockout rounds. They will face Palmeiras in what could be a blockbuster all-Brazilian clash in their next match.
About the Clubs: South American and Asian Champions Collide
Fluminense Football Club is a Brazilian professional football team based in Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 1902, the club has long been one of the most successful and traditional sides in Brazil. Known for their attacking flair and loyal fanbase, Fluminense lifted the 2023 Copa Libertadores title to book their spot at the revamped FIFA Club World Cup.
Ulsan HD FC, formerly known as Ulsan Hyundai FC, is a powerhouse in South Korean football. Based in Ulsan, the club competes in the K League 1 — the country’s top-flight division — and has earned acclaim for its youth development and disciplined tactical setup. Ulsan won the 2023 AFC Champions League, making them one of Asia's top representatives at this tournament.
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