At the end of extra time and a tense match, Fluminense snatched the first Copa Libertadores in its history this Saturday, November 4 against Boca Juniors, at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Published on: 05/11/2023 – 00:06
2 mn
This Copa Libertadores final had everything you would expect from a high-stakes football match in South America. Extra time, red cards, tears and a referee who was sometimes a little rushed. The cocktail was perfect, and this Saturday, November 4, it was Fluminense who appreciated the flavor. Against Boca Juniors, a regular, the Brazilian club won 2-1 after more than 120 minutes of match.
The Brazilians started strong, with a goal from German Cano. Almost with his back to the opposing goalkeeper, the Fluminense striker, well served behind, hit hard on the ground, in a pivot, to open the score for his team, in a Maracana obviously committed to the Brazilian cause, the stadium having its quarters at Rio de Janeiro. An Argentinian to open the score in the final of the Copa Libertadores against Boca Juniors, the symbol is strong.
Nothing to destabilize the club, already six times winner of the competition. Through its defender Luis Advincula, Boca returned to the game. The defender rose to the forefront to send a left-footed cannonball into the opposing net in the 72nd minute. This is where things started to go wrong.
An extension under high tension
While the scenario took the 22 players into overtime and tensed the faces of the supporters, Fluminense regained the advantage. In the 99th minute, thanks to an aerial combination at the edge of the area, John Kennedy scored his team’s second goal with a superb volley. Having gone to celebrate directly with the public, he received his second yellow card, synonymous with expulsion.
After which, in one of the countless moments of tension and jostling around the evening referee, Frank Fabra slapped a Fluminense player. Enough to put the teams back on a numerical tie to finish the match at 10 against 10. Not enough to change the scenario of the match since the Brazilians retained their advantage until the end. Enough to bring tears to the eyes, even for Marcelo, the former Real Madrid player, experienced in high-voltage games, who this evening added a little more to his immense prize list.
