CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Fluminense stunned Inter Milan 2-0 in the Club World Cup round of 16, prompting Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez to criticize his teammates publicly after the loss.
“Whoever wants to stay, stay; whoever does not want to stay should go,” Martínez told DAZN after the match. “I have seen a lot of things that I didn’t like. I want to win.”
The forward’s comments come after an 11 monthlong season where they ended runners-up in both the Champions League and the Serie A.
Inter Milan appointed former defender Cristian Chivu as head coach following their 5-0 Champions League final defeat just before the Club World Cup.
The new coach supported Martínez's harsh assessment of the team.
The Brazilian side’s victory continues South American clubs’ strong showing in the tournament, with Fluminense becoming the second Brazilian team to reach the quarterfinal.
Fluminense’s Everaldo celebrated the victory as validation of South American football’s quality.
“We are teaching people around the world that South American football is good, too,” Everaldo said.
Fluminense will face the Manchester City-Al Hilal winner on Friday in Orlando, Florida.
All four Brazilian teams advanced to the round of 16, with Fluminense and Palmeiras now representing the country in the quarterfinals, reinforcing South American football’s growing influence on the global stage.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
Max Feliu, The Associated Press
