Rio de Janeiro – Fluminense secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Athletico-PR Sunday afternoon at the Maracanã Stadium in a captivating match from Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Despite falling behind early, O Tricolor rallied with goals from Hércules, Juan Canobbio, and a dramatic late winner from Guilherme Arana to claim all three points and climb the league table.
The win moves Fluminense to 13 points, temporarily into second place in the Brasileirão standings, trailing only São Paulo. Athletico-PR, meanwhile, remain on 7 points and have now gone three consecutive league matches without a victory.
The match began at a blistering pace, with Athletico-PR taking the lead just five minutes in. Stiven Mendoza found the back of the net with a well-placed shot, giving the visitors an early advantage. However, Fluminense responded quickly, leveling the score just three minutes later. A pressing play by John Kennedy created an opportunity for Savarino, who set up Hércules for a powerful finish.
The home side continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded in the 36th minute. Canobbio, again assisted by Savarino, unleashed a strong shot past the Athletico-PR goalkeeper, putting Fluminense ahead. The complexion of the match shifted further when Athletico-PR’s Bruno Zapelli received a red card in the 28th minute following a VAR review for a foul on Samuel Xavier, leaving the visitors to play with ten men for the majority of the contest.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Athletico-PR refused to surrender. They battled back into the game, equalizing in the 75th minute through Luiz Gustavo. However, just as the match appeared headed for a draw, Guilherme Arana struck in the fourth minute of added time, sending the Maracanã crowd into raptures and securing a vital win for Fluminense.
The first half saw a flurry of action. Mendoza’s early goal was quickly answered by Hércules, and the sending-off of Zapelli significantly altered the dynamic of the game. Fluminense capitalized on their man advantage, with Canobbio’s goal giving them a deserved lead at the interval. Acosta also had a notable chance in the first half, skillfully maneuvering past several defenders before his shot was saved by the Athletico-PR goalkeeper.
The second half continued to be an open affair. Fluminense came close to extending their lead early on, with Hércules forcing a save and Acosta hitting the crossbar. Athletico-PR, despite being a man down, remained dangerous on the counterattack, and Luiz Gustavo’s equalizer demonstrated their resilience. However, Arana’s late goal ultimately proved to be the difference.
Fluminense’s victory was built on a strong team performance, with key contributions from several players. Hércules and Canobbio provided crucial goals, while Arana’s late winner showcased his quality and composure under pressure. Savarino’s assists were also instrumental in Fluminense’s attacking success.
Match Details
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A – Round 6
March 15, 2026
Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Fluminense (3): Fábio. Samuel Xavier, Ignácio, Freytes, Arana; Martinelli, Hércules (Ganso), Acosta; Savarino (Serna), Canobbio (Soteldo), John Kennedy (Castillo).
Manager: Luis Zubeldía
Athletico-PR (2): Santos; Benavídez, Terán (Aguirre), Arthur Diaz, Esquivel; Luiz Gustavo, Portilla (Léo Derik), Zapelli; Mendoza, Viveiros, Julimar (Jadson).
Manager: Odair Hellmann
Goals: Mendoza (5’ 1H), Luiz Gustavo (29’ 2H) (Athletico-PR); Hércules (8’ 1H), Canobbio (36’ 1H), Arana (90’+4 2H) (Fluminense)
Yellow Cards: Savarino, Arana (Fluminense); Viveiros (Athletico-PR)
Red Card: Zapelli (Athletico-PR)
Referee: Matheus Delgado Candançan
Fluminense will now turn their attention to a crucial Rio de Janeiro derby against Vasco da Gama on Wednesday, March 18th, at the Maracanã, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 PM local time (12:30 AM UTC). This match presents another significant opportunity for O Tricolor to solidify their position at the top of the Brasileirão standings. Fans can follow the match live on major sports broadcasters and through official team channels.
