STAR SPORTS DESK

On Independence Day in the United States, Fluminense’s Hercules carved his own freedom: from the bench to the scoreboard with a match-winning strike that powered the Rio club into the Club World Cup semifinals on Friday (early hours of Saturday in Bangladesh).

Having already stunned Inter Milan in the round of 16, the 24-year-old defensive midfielder struck again as a substitute; his goal sealed a 2-1 win over Saudi giants Al Hilal in Orlando.

Hercules put Fluminense in front for good in the 70th minute; his persistence was rewarded after an initial long-range effort was deflected high into the air. However, he kept running forward -- and into the danger zone -- as teammate Samuel Xavier won the next header, which landed at his feet.

Hercules then took a sublime first touch to control the ball before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, prompting jubilation from yet another largely pro-Brazilian crowd.

At the heart of it all stood Thiago Silva: the 40-year-old captain who marshalled the backline and watched his post-match wish unfold.

“I’m rooting for Chelsea,” he had said. Later that evening, the Blues defeated Palmeiras 2-1, setting up an emotional semifinal clash with Silva’s current and former clubs on opposing ends.

With four Brazilian clubs reaching the round of 16 and Fluminense now among the final four, this Club World Cup has become a celebration of Brazil’s footballing heritage: past, present, and what lies ahead.