Fluminense Defeats Ulsan 4-2 in Electric MetLife Stadium Atmosphere, Giving A Preview Of Crowd Reaction During Club World Cup Finals and World Cup 2026

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Fluminense delivered a commanding 4-2 victory over Ulsan Hyundai FC at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in front of an electric crowd that provided a tantalizing preview of the atmosphere expected for next month’s Club World Cup Final at MetLife and next year’s World Cup Group stages and Final at the iconic venue. The Brazilian giants showcased their attacking prowess against the South Korean side in a match that highlighted why MetLife Stadium continues to be chosen for football’s biggest occasions. With the stadium set to host both the upcoming Club World Cup Final and serve as a key venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Saturday’s encounter between Fluminense and Ulsan demonstrated the venue’s ability to create an unforgettable atmosphere for international football, as fans from both sides created a vibrant backdrop for what proved to be an entertaining and goal-filled affair. The Fans have been found pre-gaming at American Dream, creating a highly unique atmosphere before every game in New Jersey. They’re sharing their passion for the game and creating new fans in the process, which is great to see.

Juan Freytes scored the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute, and Fluminense beat Ulsan 4-2 in the Club World Cup on Saturday.

Fluminense is now tied with Borussia Dortmund atop Group F and can clinch a berth in the knockout rounds with a win or a draw against the Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday. Ulsan, which plays Dortmund on Wednesday, was eliminated from the competition with the loss.

The electric crowds during this tournament around the United States have given Americans a masterclass lesson on what being a soccer fan truly is and means. The U.S. Soccer culture is dull, lame, and honestly pathetic. It is all manufactured nonsense from so-called supporter groups who all steal songs from other nations and make them completely lame. I would take any chant from any club outside the US in this Club World Cup over MLS, USL, NCAA, supporter group, or fanbase.

“Sadly, we couldn’t keep up in the second half.” — Gustav Ludwigson Ulsan

The pure passion that oozes out from each fan is contagious and brilliant; each chant tells a story of the game being played and the emotional ups and downs. You can tell what teams are playing on the pitch even if you have no eyesight. In this country, every team sounds the same; you only know the names when the chants are forced to remind you who the home team is.

Give me this:

Over This:

Jhon Arias bent a 25-yard free kick inside the right post and under the crossbar in the 27th minute to open the scoring for Fluminense.

“I think we gave it all,” Ulsan midfielder Gustav Ludwigson said. “Like, we left nothing on the field, so we cannot be anything other than satisfied with our performance. We played a very good team, so it’s not only up to us.

Lee Jin-hyun, on the counterattack, put away a cross played by Um Wonsang into a wide-open net to tie it in the 37th and Um scored on diving header, off a low ball-in played by Lee, in first-half stoppage time to give Ulsan a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Nonato stopped a clearance attempt near the top of the penalty area and tapped a shot inside the right post in the 66th minute to tie the score 2-2.

Keno capped the scoring in the second minute of stoppage time.

“We knew if we played in the second half with the intensity that we did against Borussia, we could win this game,” Nonato said. “That is what we changed at halftime, mindset.”

Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo made a diving stop in the second minute and moments later had a leaping one-handed parry.