Thiago Silva in tears as Fluminense stun Inter Milan at Club World Cup

Fluminense captain Thiago Silva was visibly emotional after his side progressed to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup at the expense of Inter Milan.

The 40-year-old former Chelsea skipper played the full 90 minutes as Fluminense beat the UEFA Champions League finalists 2-0 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Fluminense, who qualified for this summer’s tournament by winning the Copa Libertadores in 2023, went ahead after just three minutes when German Cano stooped to head home a deflected cross from close range.

Inter dominated possession and registered 16 shots as they tried to force their way back into the contest. But only four of those efforts forced keeper Fabio into work, before substitute Hercules wrapped up a famous victory with a cool finish from 18 yards in added time.

That goal sparked wild celebrations in the stands at Bank of America Stadium, with many fans seen crying tears of joy.

Silva, who was also pictured in tears before being photographed kissing wife Isabele in the stands, later told DAZN: ‘I’m very proud with my team, with my team-mates.

‘This game is like this, too hard to play against the Inter team, you know? They played the Champions League final a month ago.

‘It is not easy to play like this. It’s too hot today to play football. The time is not good, but it is like this. Fluminense are a big team.’

Inter forward Lautaro Martinez also commented on the intense heat in his post-game interview.

Martinez said: ‘We certainly were not in the match in the first half. We conceded a goal and gave the ball away far too many times.

‘Fluminense defended deep and well, trying to go on the counter-attack. We did better in the second half, we gave our all.

‘It was very hot, we were tired mentally, we were missing lots of players.

‘I apologise to the fans and everyone who came here to watch us. Now we must focus on rest and preparing for next season in the best way.’ 

Fluminense — who progressed from Group F with five points after drawing with Borussia Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns, and beating Ulsan HD — will now face either Manchester City or Al-Hilal in the last eight.

Fluminense were one of four Brazilian entrants at this summer’s 32-team Club World Cup, along with Botafogo, Flamengo and Palmeiras.

All four made it beyond the group stage, before Palmeiras knocked out Botafogo in the round of 16.

Flamengo lost 4-2 to Bayern Munich on Sunday night. Palmeiras will meet Chelsea in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Silva returned to Fluminense in May last year, following trophy-laden spells in Europe with AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

The legendary Brazilian centre back had previously spent time in Fluminense’s youth academy in the 1990s, before playing three first-team seasons with the Rio de Janeiro club between 2006 and 2008.