In a match that had absolutely everything – breathtaking goals, a shocking lead change, and a late, heart-stopping surge – Fluminense roared back from the brink to stun Ulsan HD 4-2 in a Group F thriller at MetLife Stadium. This wasn't just a win; it was a dramatic resurrection that sent the noisy Brazilian corner into raptures and ended Ulsan's tournament dreams.

A Rollercoaster First Half: Brilliance Meets Blitz

Fluminense came out swinging, pinning Ulsan back early with Jo Hyeon-woo forced into action multiple times. The breakthrough felt inevitable, and it arrived in spectacular fashion. 

Jhon Arias, with the kind of magic Brazilian football is famed for, curled an absolute peach of a free-kick from 25 yards, leaving the keeper rooted. 1-0, and it seemed the floodgates might open.But Ulsan, champions for a reason, refused to buckle. They absorbed the pressure and struck with lethal efficiency on the counter. 

Lee Jin-hyun silenced the Brazilian fans with a cool finish from Um Won-sang's cross (37’). Then, deep into stoppage time, the unthinkable happened: Lee turned provider, whipping in a perfect cross for Um Won-sang to power home a diving header. From cruising to trailing 2-1 at the break – the shock on the Fluminense faces said it all.

The Miss That Haunts and the Subs That Sparked Fire

Ulsan had a golden chance to bury Fluminense early in the second half. Um Won-sang found himself with the goal gaping, unmarked, just yards out... and somehow fired wide. The collective gasp echoed around the stadium. That miss felt huge in the moment, and it proved catastrophic.Sensing his team needed a jolt, Fluminense boss Renato Gaúcho rolled the dice. His substitutions were inspired. 

Nonato, brought on to add drive, delivered almost instantly. In the 66th minute, he arrived in the box with ice in his veins, side-footing home the equalizer. The roar from the Tricolor faithful was deafening – belief flooded back.

The Late, Late Show: Brazilian Joy, Korean Agony

With momentum firmly in yellow and green, Fluminense poured forward. The winner came with just seven minutes left. Germán Cano's effort caused chaos, the ball falling kindly for substitute Juan Freytes, who smashed it home with pure, adrenaline-fueled power. 3-2! MetLife erupted.Ulsan, desperate and now facing elimination, threw everything forward. But Fluminense delivered the final, crushing blow in stoppage time. Who else? Arias, the architect of the opener, delivered a pinpoint cross for Keno to thunder home a header. Cue absolute pandemonium in the Brazilian end – players mobbed, fans dancing. For Ulsan, it was pure devastation, players sinking to their knees.

What This Means: Destiny in Their Hands

This pulsating win rockets Fluminense to the top of Group F. Their fate is now beautifully simple: a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns guarantees passage to the knockout stages. The confidence from this comeback will be massive.

For Ulsan HD, the dream is over. Two brave performances, two defeats. They bow out with heads held high after giving the South American giants an almighty scare, but ultimately undone by that crucial miss and Fluminense's relentless fighting spirit.

The Takeaway

This was football at its most exhilarating and cruel. Fluminense showed the heart of champions, refusing to die even when floored. Arias provided the magic, the substitutes delivered the impact, and the entire team showed incredible resilience. Ulsan played their part in an unforgettable spectacle – taking a shock lead and fighting until the end – but will forever wonder 'what if' about that gaping second-half chance. 

Group F is wide open, and Fluminense's journey just got a whole lot more interesting!