The owl has woken up: Fluminense opens the scoring with a great goal from Arias in the corner against Ulsan in the Club World Cup Por Luís Henrique Costa
6 min de leitura
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At the 26th minute of the first half, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Fluminense took the lead against South Korea’s Ulsan HD in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage. The goal, a brilliant free-kick by Colombian Jhon Arias that found the top corner of goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo’s net, marked Fluminense’s first goal in the competition. The match, taking place on Saturday, June 21, at 7:00 PM (Brasília time), is still ongoing, with the Brazilian side controlling the offensive play. The game is crucial for Fluminense, who are chasing qualification after a goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund in their opener, while Ulsan, defeated in the first round, aims to pull off an upset to keep their hopes alive. The clash reflects the intensity of the tournament, with Fluminense showing dominance in shots and possession.
Fluminense approached the match buoyed by their praised performance against Borussia, despite the scoreless draw. The lineup, led by coach Renato Gaúcho, featured changes, with Ganso, Cano, and Guga starting, and Serna replacing Canobbio. Meanwhile, Ulsan, after a 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, relies on goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo, a standout in the 2018 World Cup, to withstand Fluminense’s pressure. The Fluminense fans, who celebrated in Times Square before the game, fill the MetLife Stadium stands, while the club’s president, Mário Bittencourt, and FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, watch the match side by side.
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26’ – Arias scores with a perfectly placed free-kick in the top corner.
Key moments so far:
1’ – Ganso fires a powerful shot after a corner, forcing Hyeon-Woo into two consecutive saves.
12’ – Arias takes a corner, Freytes heads it, but the ball goes over the bar.
20’ – Serna misses a clear chance after a Martinelli pass, shooting wide of the post.
25’ – Dangerous free-kick for Flu after a Martinelli-Ganso combination.
Tricolor dominance in the first half
Fluminense started the match at a high tempo, with quick passing and constant pressure in the opponent’s half. Within the first minutes, the Brazilian side earned two corners and a dangerous shot from Ganso, testing Hyeon-Woo’s reflexes. Renato Gaúcho’s strategy, with a creative midfield trio of Ganso, Martinelli, and Hércules, allowed Fluminense to control possession and exploit the flanks, particularly through Guga and Fuentes.
By the 11th minute, Guga’s attempted cross led to another corner, highlighting Fluminense’s persistence in aerial plays. Ulsan’s defense, anchored by center-back Trojak, managed to clear the early threats, but the Tricolor’s pressure was relentless. The South Korean side, in contrast, created little offensively, with only one crossing attempt from Won-Sang, easily dealt with by Martinelli. So far, Fluminense has recorded eight shots, one on target, while Ulsan has yet to test goalkeeper Fábio.
Arias’ goal at the 26th minute capped Fluminense’s dominance. The free-kick, earned after a Martinelli-Ganso interplay, was struck with surgical precision by the Colombian, finding the top corner beyond Hyeon-Woo’s reach. The goal ignited the Fluminense fans in the stadium and underscored the team’s superiority in the match.
Timeline: Key moments of the match
The Fluminense vs. Ulsan clash has been marked by high-intensity moments, with the Tricolor setting the pace. Below are the key plays up to the 26th minute of the first half:
- 1’: Corner for Flu early on. Ganso controls in the box and unleashes a rocket, saved by Hyeon-Woo. Moments later, the No. 10 shoots again, forcing another save.
- 12’: Arias delivers a corner, Freytes heads it, but the ball sails over the goal.
- 20’: Martinelli sets up Serna with a precise pass, but the forward misfires, sending the ball wide.
- 25’: Martinelli wins a dangerous free-kick near the penalty area after linking up with Ganso, raising anticipation for the set-piece.
- 26’: Jhon Arias takes the free-kick and curls it perfectly into the top corner, giving Fluminense the lead.
Group stage context
Fluminense’s group in the Club World Cup is among the most competitive in the tournament. After drawing with Borussia Dortmund, the Tricolor needs a win against Ulsan to avoid complications in their quest for qualification. The German side, who defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in a seven-goal thriller, currently leads the group, while Ulsan, bottom after their opening loss, struggles to find their rhythm.
The match also carries symbolic weight. Fluminense, the reigning Libertadores champions, aims to cement their global reputation, while Ulsan, three-time K League winners, looks to replicate upsets like their 2018 World Cup win over Germany. The tactical battle between Renato Gaúcho’s attacking 4-3-3 and Kim Pan-Gon’s defensive 4-1-4-1 has so far favored Fluminense, but the game remains open.
Standout performers
Several players have shone in the match. For Fluminense, Jhon Arias is the standout, not only for his stunning goal but also for his constant movement and involvement in attacking plays. Ganso, with his playmaking vision, has been pivotal in creating chances, while Martinelli offers defensive solidity and quality passing. Serna, despite missing a clear chance, remains a threat to Ulsan’s backline.
For Ulsan, goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo is the key figure, making crucial saves, including two against Ganso early on. The defense, led by Trojak and Young-Gwon, has held firm under pressure, but the midfield, with Bojanic and Seung-Beom, has struggled to create clear chances. Striker Erick Farias, Ulsan’s main attacking hope, has been largely isolated so far.
- Players to watch:
- Jhon Arias (Fluminense): Scored the goal and drives the attack.
- Ganso (Fluminense): Sets the tempo with precise passes.
- Hyeon-Woo (Ulsan): Experienced goalkeeper, already made key saves.
- Trojak (Ulsan): Solid defender, clearing dangers in the box.
Match atmosphere and trivia
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is electric with the energy of Fluminense’s fans, who have turned the area into a slice of Rio de Janeiro. Hours before kickoff, Times Square hosted a vibrant celebration with Tricolor chants and flags, showcasing the passion of the supporters. The presence of Mário Bittencourt and Gianni Infantino in the stands highlights the match’s significance for global football.
Ulsan, despite their opening defeat, brings intriguing elements to the clash. The South Korean club is known for its strong financial structure, as noted by Tartá, a former Fluminense player who played for Ulsan between 2014 and 2015. Additionally, goalkeeper Hyeon-Woo, who famously thwarted Germany in 2018, is a prominent figure, and his performance today will be critical for Ulsan’s ambitions.
The match also reflects football’s globalization. The expanded Club World Cup pits clubs from different continents against each other, showcasing contrasting playing styles. Fluminense’s South American flair faces Ulsan’s disciplined Asian approach, promising more excitement in the second half.no segundo tempo.
