Fluminense 4-2 Ulsan: Late Goals from Freytes and Keno Secure Victory.FIFA Club World Cup: Fluminense Scores Twice Late, Topples Ulsan 4-2.
East Rutherford, New Jersey, June 22, 2025 – Fluminense FC staged a thrilling second-half comeback to secure a 4-2 victory over Ulsan HD FC in a pulsating Group F encounter at MetLife Stadium during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Juan Freytes’ first goal for the Brazilian club in the 83rd minute proved to be the decisive strike, followed by Keno’s stoppage-time header, sealing a win that propelled Fluminense to the top of Group F with four points. The match, characterized by dramatic shifts in momentum, saw Jhon Arias and Nonato also find the net for Fluminense, while Jinhyun Lee and Um Won-Sang scored for Ulsan, who were eliminated from the tournament following the defeat. This report provides a detailed analysis of the match, key moments, player performances, and its implications for both teams’ campaigns.
Match Overview
The Group F clash on June 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium was a tale of two halves, with Fluminense dominating early, only for Ulsan to stun the Brazilian side with two quickfire goals before halftime. The Tricolor, led by manager Renato Gaúcho, responded with resilience, leveling the score through Nonato in the 66th minute before late strikes from Freytes and Keno secured their first win of the tournament. The victory moved Fluminense (1-0-1, 4 points) level on points with Borussia Dortmund (1-0-1, 4 points), setting up a crucial group finale against Mamelodi Sundowns (1-1-0, 3 points) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Miami. Ulsan (0-2-0, 0 points), despite a spirited performance, were knocked out of contention following their second consecutive defeat.
The match, attended by a vibrant crowd bolstered by Brazilian fans, showcased Fluminense’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity, led by veteran Thiago Silva. Ulsan, under coach Kim Pan-gon, displayed flashes of brilliance on the counter but struggled with defensive fatigue in the second half, ultimately succumbing to Fluminense’s relentless pressure. The result underscored the Brazilian side’s quality and experience, having reached the 2023 Club World Cup final, while highlighting Ulsan’s challenges in converting chances against elite opposition.
First Half: Ulsan’s Stunning Turnaround
Fluminense, coming off a goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund, started the match with intent, controlling possession and creating early chances. The Brazilian side’s 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Jhon Arias, Agustín Canobbio, and Everaldo in attack, overwhelmed Ulsan’s five-man defensive setup in the opening half-hour. Kevin Serna’s burst forward in the first minute earned Fluminense an early corner, setting the tone for their dominance.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Jhon Arias delivered a moment of magic. Awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal after a foul on Matheus Martinelli, Arias struck a ferocious right-footed shot that curled past Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-Woo into the top right corner, giving Fluminense a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal, described as a “thunderbolt” on social media, showcased Arias’ set-piece prowess and lifted the Brazilian contingent in the stands.
Ulsan, who had managed just 36% possession in their opening 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, initially struggled to break Fluminense’s press. However, their counter-attacking threat emerged in the 37th minute. Darijan Bojanić, operating just beyond his own penalty area, played a precise through ball to Um Won-Sang on the right flank. Won-Sang’s low cross evaded Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio’s dive, rolling across the box to Jinhyun Lee, who produced a sublime first-touch finish from a tight angle into an open net, leveling the score at 1-1. The goal, a product of Ulsan’s quick transition, stunned Fluminense and shifted momentum.
The South Koreans capitalized again in first-half stoppage time. A poorly cleared Fluminense set-piece allowed Lee to turn provider, delivering a pinpoint cross from the left. Um Won-Sang met it with a powerful diving header, beating Fábio to the bottom left corner to give Ulsan a shock 2-1 lead at halftime. The goal, celebrated by @MichaelBattista on X, left Fluminense’s players and fans visibly frustrated as they headed to the locker room.
Key Moment: Um Won-Sang’s diving header in first-half stoppage time, assisted by Jinhyun Lee, gives Ulsan a 2-1 lead after Fluminense’s early dominance.
Second Half: Fluminense’s Relentless Comeback
Renato Gaúcho’s halftime adjustments reinvigorated Fluminense, who emerged with renewed purpose. The introduction of Nonato in the 59th minute for Kevin Serna added dynamism to the midfield, allowing Fluminense to sustain pressure on Ulsan’s tiring defense. The Brazilian side’s possession climbed to 62% in the second half, with Thiago Silva and Juan Freytes anchoring a backline that limited Ulsan’s counter-attacking opportunities.
The equalizer came in the 66th minute after a flowing move down the left. Keno, who had replaced Serna, delivered a cross that Ulsan’s defense only partially cleared. Nonato, seven minutes after coming off the bench, pounced on the loose ball and dispatched a composed finish from 15 yards into the right post, making it 2-2. The goal, hailed as “classy” by @ClutchPlaySport on X, marked a turning point, with Fluminense now firmly in control.
Ulsan’s best chance to regain the lead came in the 80th minute when substitute Matías Lacava slipped a pass to Lee Dong-gyeong, whose low drive was brilliantly saved by Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-Woo. The save kept Fluminense in the game, and their pressure soon paid off. In the 83rd minute, a poorly defended corner saw Germán Cano collect the ball and lay it off to Juan Freytes, who calmly slotted his first goal for Fluminense into the right post, giving the Tricolor a 3-2 lead. The goal, assisted by Cano, highlighted Freytes’ composure and marked a significant moment in his young career.
As Ulsan pushed for an equalizer, their fatigued defense was exposed in stoppage time. Jhon Arias, a constant threat, danced down the right wing and floated a perfectly weighted cross to Keno, who rose above the Ulsan backline to thump a powerful header into the bottom right corner in the 92nd minute. The 4-2 scoreline, sealed by Keno’s clinical finish, sparked wild celebrations among Fluminense’s players and fans, who had turned MetLife Stadium into a “Maracanã away.”
Decisive Moment: Keno’s stoppage-time header, assisted by Jhon Arias, seals Fluminense’s 4-2 victory, ensuring their first win of the tournament.
Key Moments
27’: Jhon Arias scores a stunning free kick to give Fluminense a 1-0 lead.
37’: Jinhyun Lee equalizes for Ulsan with a first-touch finish on a counter-attack, assisted by Um Won-Sang.
45+3’: Um Won-Sang’s diving header, assisted by Lee, gives Ulsan a 2-1 halftime lead.
59’: Nonato replaces Kevin Serna, adding energy to Fluminense’s midfield.
66’: Nonato levels the score at 2-2 with a composed finish from Keno’s partially cleared cross.
80’: Jo Hyeon-Woo’s save denies Lee Dong-gyeong, keeping Fluminense in the game.
83’: Juan Freytes scores his first Fluminense goal, assisted by Germán Cano, to make it 3-2.
90+2’: Keno’s header from Arias’ cross seals a 4-2 victory.
Player Performances
Jhon Arias (Fluminense): The attacking midfielder was the standout, scoring a sensational free kick and providing the assist for Keno’s winner. His creativity and set-piece ability were pivotal.
Juan Freytes (Fluminense): The young defender scored the go-ahead goal, his first for the club, and was solid alongside Thiago Silva.
Keno (Fluminense): The substitute made a significant impact, assisting Nonato’s equalizer and scoring the decisive header.
Nonato (Fluminense): The midfielder’s composure off the bench was crucial, leveling the score with a clinical finish.
Um Won-Sang (Ulsan HD): The South Korean winger scored and assisted, posing a constant threat on the counter.
Jinhyun Lee (Ulsan HD): Lee’s goal and assist showcased his quality, though Ulsan’s defensive lapses undermined his efforts.
Thiago Silva (Fluminense): The veteran captain led a robust defensive line, limiting Ulsan’s chances in the second half.
Tactical Analysis
Fluminense’s 4-2-3-1 formation allowed them to dominate possession (58% overall) and exploit the flanks, with Arias and Canobbio stretching Ulsan’s five-man defense. Renato Gaúcho’s decision to introduce Nonato and Keno shifted the game’s momentum, adding fresh legs and creativity. Ulsan’s 4-4-2 setup, led by Kim Pan-gon, relied on quick transitions, with Lee and Won-Sang exploiting spaces left by Fluminense’s high line. However, Ulsan’s defensive fatigue and inability to clear set-pieces proved costly.
Fluminense’s expected goals (xG) of 2.8 compared to Ulsan’s 1.2 reflected their superior chance creation, with 14 shots (7 on target) to Ulsan’s 9 (4 on target). Ulsan’s high press in the first half disrupted Fluminense, but their second-half conservatism allowed the Brazilians to capitalize. The match highlighted Fluminense’s depth and experience, while Ulsan’s lack of final-third quality, as noted in their loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, persisted.
Group F Standings and Implications
With the win, Fluminense moved to 4 points, tying Borussia Dortmund at the top of Group F. Both teams have identical goal differences, making their final group matches critical for securing a spot in the round of 16. Mamelodi Sundowns, with 3 points, remain in contention, while Ulsan’s elimination was confirmed after their second loss.
Fluminense’s final group match against Mamelodi Sundowns on June 25, 2025, in Miami will determine their fate, with a win likely securing a knockout berth. Ulsan, already eliminated, face Dortmund in Cincinnati on June 26, aiming to end their campaign on a positive note. The result strengthens CONMEBOL’s strong showing in the tournament, with Brazilian teams maintaining an unbeaten record.
Manager Reactions
Renato Gaúcho praised his team’s resilience post-match:
“We started well but lost focus before halftime. The boys showed character to fight back. Arias’ free kick was world-class, and Freytes and Keno delivered when it mattered. We’re ready for Sundowns.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan’s coach, lamented defensive lapses:
“We showed we can compete, scoring twice against a top side. But we lacked composure in key moments, especially on set-pieces. We’ll learn from this for Dortmund.”
Renato Gaúcho praised his team’s resilience post-match:
“We started well but lost focus before halftime. The boys showed character to fight back. Arias’ free kick was world-class, and Freytes and Keno delivered when it mattered. We’re ready for Sundowns.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan’s coach, lamented defensive lapses:
“We showed we can compete, scoring twice against a top side. But we lacked composure in key moments, especially on set-pieces. We’ll learn from this for Dortmund.”
Fan and Media Sentiment
The match generated significant buzz on X, with @CGTNSportsScene summarizing the thriller and praising Fluminense’s comeback. @itspels argued that better management could have secured Ulsan a historic result, given their squad’s €82.65m valuation disparity with Fluminense. @KickOffMagazine noted Fluminense’s leap to second in Group F, highlighting their edge over Mamelodi Sundowns. The vibrant Brazilian support at MetLife Stadium, likened to a “Maracanã atmosphere,” was a talking point, as per @SI.com.
Media outlets like ESPN and Outlook India lauded Fluminense’s attacking quality and depth, with Freytes’ emergence as a key narrative. Ulsan’s spirited display, despite the loss, earned respect, with their counter-attacking threat noted as a highlight.
What’s Next?
Fluminense face Mamelodi Sundowns in a decisive Group F clash on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM BST in Miami, with a win potentially securing their place in the round of 16. Ulsan, eliminated, will play Borussia Dortmund on June 26, 2025, in Cincinnati, aiming to restore pride. Fans can catch highlights and updates on DAZN or FIFA’s official Club World Cup liveblog.
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