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Fluminense FC: Who are the Brazilian Serie A set to face Mamelodi Sundowns in Fifa Club World Cup Group F showdown

In a clash of footballing titans, Mamelodi Sundowns will lock horns with the Brazilian Serie A side Fluminense in their last match of the FIFA Club World Cup Group F.

Masandawana were involved in a gruelling encounter that served nothing but the high level of entertainment against Borussia Dortmund this past weekend.

The action-packed match ended with BVB claiming a 4-3 victory over the dominant force of South African football.

Despite the loss against Dortmund, who have been dubbed as favourites to top Group F and qualify for the knockout stages, Sundowns won the hearts of many football lover across the globe with their fearless and entertaining possession-based football.

Having collected three points so far in their group, Sundowns will need to go out guns blazing searching for a win against Fluminense to qualify for the knockout stages.

With that being said, the front trio of Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Iqraam Rayners, and Tashreeq Matthews could be pivotal for Downs to get positive results against their next opponent.

Rayners, the former Stellenbosch FC talisman, has already proven his goal-scoring pedigree with two goals so far in the competition, while Ribeiro is a constant threat with his blistering pace, skill, and eye for goal.

GOAL profiles Fluminense ahead of the crucial clash against Sundowns:

  • fluminense Getty Images

    HISTORY

    Formed in 1902, Fluminense Football Club is one of Brazil's most storied football institutions. With a legacy spanning over a century, the club has won numerous titles, including multiple Campeonato Carioca and Brasileirão championships.

    Fluminense's iconic tricolor jersey has been worn by some of Brazil's greatest players, and the team's passionate fans, known as the 'Tricolor,' have been instrumental in shaping the club's identity and success.

    Their home stadium is the fabled Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where a crowd of 194,603 watched them play in a local derby against Flamengo in 1963.

    More recently, they won the Copa Libertadores in 2023 and the Recopa Sudamericana in 2024. Fluminense also reached the Fifa Club World Cup final in 2023, finishing as runners-up to Manchester City after a 4-0 defeat.

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  • FBL-WC-CLUB-2025-MATCH27-FLUMINENSE-ULSANAFP

    RECENT FORM

    Tricolor, as they are affectionately known, are on an eight-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Fluminense last tasted defeat on the 22nd of May after losing 4-1 against Aparecidense in the Copa do Brasil.

    In the FIFA Club World Cup, they played to a goalless draw against Dortmund before registering a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Ulsan HD.

    With the Brazilian outfit currently on an impressive unbeaten run and brimming with confidence, Sundowns will have to dig deep to get on the winning side.

  • Thiago Silva FluminenseGetty Images

    BEST PLAYER

    The veteran defender Thiago Silva, who is arguably one of the best defenders to come out of Brazil, has been the key figure in the Fluminense team, not only with performances at the heart of defence but also with his leadership qualities.

    Silva returned to his boyhood club in 2024 and helped the club survive relegation in the same year. The 40-year-old has experience playing for big clubs like AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup in 2021.

    He has 113 caps for the Brazil national team and has won Olympic medals, a Copa America and the Fifa Confederations Cup.

    Other Fluzao players to keep an eye on include 23-year-old midfielder Matheus Martinelli and the winger Jhon Arias, who was named man of the match against Ulsan while scoring a stunning free kick to open the scoring.

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  • Fluminense v Bragantino - Brasileirao 2025Getty Images Sport

    COACH

    Renato Gaucho, who also played for Fluminense in the early 90s, has established himself as one of the respected managers in Brazil. The 62-year-old, who has 11 trophies to his name, including the 2017 Copa Libertadores, is a massive part of the club's history after having seven separate coaching stints at Fluminense, spanning almost 30 years.

    During his playing days, Gaucho also represented Brazil, where he amassed 41 senior men’s national team caps.

    He once boasted that he was a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo, justifying the claim by pointing out the difficulties of delivering performances in the poor conditions of Brazil's league football during his playing career.

    It remains to be seen at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami whether he has what it takes to claim he is a better coach than Sundowns' Miguel Cardoso.

  • Fluminense FC v Borussia Dortmund: Group F - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Getty Images Sport

    CWC FIXTURES-GROUP F

    17 June 2025Fluminense 0-0 DortmundMetLife Stadium, New Jersey
    22 June 2025Fluminense 4-2 Ulsan HD MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
    25 June 2025Sundowns vs FluminenseHard Rock Stadium, Florida
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    DIVE DEEPER

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