By Sachin Shankar Yadav 
Date & Venue:
The Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, which has more than 74,000 seats, hosted the high-stakes Round of 16 match on June 30, 2025.
Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET (7:00 PM GMT/20:00 PM BST).
Context and Risks
Inter Milan, a Serie A powerhouse under coach Cristian Chivu, will face Fluminense, a Brazilian powerhouse under manager Renato Gaúcho, in this knockout match. With a draw against Monterrey and victories over Urawa Reds and River Plate, Inter led their group without a loss, while Fluminense finished second in their group, behind Borussia Dortmund, and also undefeated.
The victor would play Al-Hilal or Manchester City in the quarterfinals.
Inter Milan’s lineups & Team news:
- Coach: Cristian Chivu
- French striker Marcus Thuram made a significant comeback after recovering from an injury to go up front with Argentinean star Lautaro Martínez.
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Nicolò Barella, and Kristjan Asllani lead the midfield.
- Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij, and Matteo Darmian were in the defensive lineup.
- Notable absences include Benjamin Pavard, Piotr Zielinski, Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Pio Esposito (muscle fatigue), all of whom were ruled out following previous games.
Starting XI: Thuram, Lautaro Martínez; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Darmian, De Vrij, Bastoni; Sommer.
Fluminense:
- Coach: Renato Gaúcho
- Thiago Silva, a 41-year-old veteran who still commands the backline, is the defense’s fulcrum.
- German Cano, an Argentine striker, and Jhon Arias, a Colombian winger, led the attack.
- Yeferson Soteldo and Otavio are absent because of injuries.
Starting XI: Martinelli, Nonato, Jhon Arias; German Cano; Rene, Facundo Bernal; Samuel Xavier, Ignacio, Thiago Silva, and Freytes; Fabio.
Key Moments & Match Summary
- German Cano’s headed goal in the third minute gave Fluminense an early lead, shocking Inter.
- With Thuram and Lautaro Martínez leading the attack, Inter, who are renowned for their tenacity, attempted to overcome the deficit.
- In front of a crowded stadium, the game was a tactical contest between South American attacking flair and European defensive sturdiness.
- Thunderstorms earlier in the day raised concerns about the weather, but the game proceeded according to schedule.
Statistical Insights & Prediction
- Opta simulations showed that Inter was a clear favorite, with a 79.4% chance of winning in 90 minutes and an 84.6% chance of making it to the quarterfinals.
- Fluminense came into the game with a solid nine-game winning streak in all competitions and four clean sheets in their previous five games.
- With 10 goals in 11 international games this year, including the Club World Cup, Lautaro Martínez was a standout player to watch.
What’s Next?
This game is a vital step toward winning the Club World Cup since the winner would have to contend with either Manchester City or Al-Hilal in the quarterfinals.
Conclusion
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 matchup between Inter Milan and Fluminense was an exciting match that contrasted two different football styles: Fluminense’s attacking flair and Inter’s tactical discipline. With important players making a comeback and the stakes high, the game at Bank of America Stadium enthralled spectators everywhere.