Fluminense made history by winning their first Copa Libertadores in 2023, but the year is not over yet, and the Rio de Janeiro-based club can still add another milestone to their unforgettable season. With a 2-0 win over Al-Ahly, Fernando Diniz’s men reached the FIFA Club World Cup final in Saudi Arabia, where they will have the opportunity to emulate other Brazilian teams that have conquered the world.
Due to logical sporting and economic differences, the history of the tournament has seen a clear dominance of European teams in most editions. However, the few times the UEFA representative fell, it was always at the hands of a Brazilian opponent. Corinthians, São Paulo, and Internacional are so far the only South American teams that have won the Club World Cup.
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++ Fluminense beat Al Ahly 2-0 and is in the final of the Club World Cup
++ The history of Club World Cup winners
++ Fabinho hopes his team can avoid Manchester City in the Club World Cup
2000: Corinthians
In a tournament different from the Intercontinental Cup, which pitted the Copa Libertadores champion against the Copa Europea/Champions League winner in a single match, Corinthians defeated Vasco da Gama in a penalty shootout to claim the title. Previously, Timão finished as the leader of Group A above Real Madrid, Al Nassr, and Raja Casablanca.
Hora de relembrar este momento histórico que aconteceu 2⃣2⃣ anos atrás! Os melhores momentos das penalidades entre Timão x Vasco na grande final do Mundial de 2000! 🏆⚽
📹 TV Band#Mundial22anos#VaiCorinthians pic.twitter.com/uqf3K28fl3
— Corinthians (@Corinthians) January 14, 2022
2005: São Paulo
In the first edition of the Club World Cup with the participation of all confederations, São Paulo produced an upset by defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
SÃO PAULO 1 X 0 LIVERPOOL!
Quando o Tricolor se sagrou tricampeão mundial!https://t.co/Vgr5nAAJOs pic.twitter.com/ZJ5pE9CQjk— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) December 18, 2016
2006: Internacional
To the surprise of many, the world champion once again emerged from South America in 2006. Following the achievement of São Paulo, Internacional defeated a star-studded Barcelona with a goal from Adriano Gabiru to bring the trophy back to Brazil.
💫 Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Deco and Xavi were all on the pitch. The unlikely, late match-winner in the 2006 #ClubWC final was, however, supersub Adriano Gabiru 🔴
🎉 Happy birthday to a man who made @SCInternacional kings of the sport 👑pic.twitter.com/kCdzhCgamL
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) August 11, 2021
2012: Corinthians
Twelve years after their historic triumph, Corinthians became world champions for the second time by defeating Chelsea thanks to Paolo Guerrero’s game-winning goal.
🏆🏆 The only club outside Europe to win the #ClubWC more than once? 🤔
That would be @Corinthians! 🇧🇷🇧🇷👏👏
Learn more about how they stood on top of the world for a second time in 2012 👇https://t.co/ENAb2f92gQ pic.twitter.com/6lTPTAYEDI
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 22, 2018
More than a decade later, Fluminense will have the chance to join the list of South American teams that have won the Club World Cup, a group currently formed exclusively by Brazilian teams.
