Fluminense beats Inter and returns to the Libertadores final – 10/04/2023 – Sports

In a turnaround, Fluminense beat Internacional 2-1 on Wednesday night (4) at the Beira-Rio stadium, in Porto Alegre, in the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores. The victory puts the Rio tricolor back in the tournament final after 15 years.

The first match, a week earlier at Maracanã, had ended 2-2. On that occasion, Fluminense scored the first goal, had a player sent off, took the turn, but managed to seek equality on the scoreboard.

The second game repeated the electrifying rhythm. The Rio tricolor was not shaken by the pressure exerted by the Rio Grande do Sul masses present in Beira-Rio and advanced to the final with goals from John Kennedy and Germán Cano.

This time, the Laranjeiras tricolor came up behind on the scoreboard. Inter’s Argentine defender Gabriel Market opened the scoring in the 9th minute of the first half with a corner kick. When leaving the goal to try to clear the ball, experienced goalkeeper Fábio tripped over teammate Nino inside the area and fell, leaving the goal empty for the Internacional player to head free.

Throughout the first half, the Tricolores never threatened Uruguayan Rochet’s goal.

In the second half, however, Fluminense came back better, with striker John Kennedy replacing midfielder Alexsander and Martinelli replacing Felipe Melo. The exchanges promoted by Diniz had an effect and the Rio team managed to keep the ball more and create plays towards Inter’s area, which played further back.

The pressure had an effect 35 minutes into the final stage. Kennedy received a pass from Argentine Germán Cano and hit the Uruguayan goalkeeper, covering the archer to tie the game.

In the 42nd minute, Fluminense’s players switched roles: Kennedy passed with his heel to Cano, who hit hard from the penalty area to beat Internacional’s goalkeeper and guarantee his place in the final.

In 2008, in the first and so far only final they played in the competition, the Rio tricolor succumbed in the decision by penalties at Maracanã against the Ecuadorians from LDU. At the time, the team was led by Renato Gaúcho and included Argentine Dario Conca and top scorer Washington Coração Valente.

With the victory this Wednesday, Fluminense once again eliminates Internacional in a Libertadores knockout. In 2012, striker Fed’s Rio tricolor defeated the Colorado team in the round of 16.

The Laranjeiras club is now looking for an unprecedented title, which could also represent Fernando Diniz’s first international achievement. In July, the coach was announced by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) as interim coach of the Brazilian team, until the possible arrival of the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, now at Real Madrid.

So far, the national team coach’s only major title is the 2023 Campeonato Carioca, when he beat Flamengo, at the time led by the Portuguese Vítor Pereira, in the final.

Diniz also won the Copa Paulista in 2009 and 2010, for Votoraty and Paulista de Jundiaí, but it is a lesser-known São Paulo tournament.

In the current Fluminense squad, three players know the pleasure of lifting a Libertadores cup. Felipe Melo won twice with Palmeiras, in 2020 and 2021. Full-back Jorge, sidelined due to injury, also participated in the Palmeiras victory in 2021. And midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso won for Santos in 2011 alongside number 10 of the Brazilian team, Neymar Jr.

To reach the Libertadores final, the Tricolor das Laranjeiras qualified first in their group, leaving behind River Plate, from Argentina, Sporting Cristal, from Peru, and The Strongest, from Bolivia.

In the round of 16, they drew 1-1 in the first leg against Argentino Juniors, at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, in Buenos Aires, and won 2-0 at Maracanã, with goals from Samuel Xavier and John Kennedy.

In the quarterfinals, they got past Olímpia, from Paraguay, without difficulty, with a 2-0 victory at home and a 3-1 victory at Defensores del Chaco, in Asunción. The tricolor returned the defeat it suffered against the Paraguayans in 2022, when it fell in the third phase (before the group stage) of the Libertadores.

Now, Diniz’s team awaits the definition of their next opponent, who will emerge from the clash between Palmeiras and Boca Juniors. The two teams face each other this Thursday (5) at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo. The first match ended in a 0-0 draw at Bombonera, in Buenos Aires.

The final is scheduled for November 4th, at the Maracanã stadium, in Rio.

Sixth in series A of the Brazilian Championship with 41 points, 11 behind leader Botafogo, Fluminense now turns its attention to the national tournament. On Sunday (8), the Tricolores face off in a classic against Botafogo at Maracanã and then face Corinthians (13th place) at home.