Martinelli gives Fluminense lead in chaotic end to first half of Club World Cup quarter-final

Matheus Martinelli gave Fluminense a precious half-time lead in their Club World Cup quarter-final with Al Hilal with a stunning strike.

Al Hilal had dominated much of the first 45 minutes without creating a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity, and they were punished in style by midfielder Martinelli.

He opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a superb bending strike into the top-right corner that left Al Hilal goalkeeper Bono with no chance.

But that was just the start of a dramatic end to the first half in Orlando.

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First Kalidou Koulibaly saw a brilliant header kept out by a flying save from 44-year-old Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio, before Al Hilal looked to have been awarded a highly dubious penalty.

Danny Makkiele pointed to the spot after Marcos Leonardo went down under a challenge from Samuel Xavier.

However, replays showed that Xavier was looking at the ball throughout as a free-kick delivery came into the box and that contact between their pair had been incidental.

After a VAR pitch side review, Makkiele reversed his decision, ensuring Fluminense would have a lead to protect in the second half.