Fluminense is Libertadores champion after beating Boca Juniors
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Fluminense became champions of the Libertadores this Saturday (4), at the Maracanã stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, after winning 2-1. Germán Cano and John Kennedy scored the goals for the Tricolors, while Advíncula pulled one back for the Xeneizes.
This title marks an unprecedented achievement for Fluminense as champion of the Libertadores. Tricolor das Laranjeiras had not yet won any continental title and, inside Maracanã, they had lost their hitherto only Libertadores final in 2008. After 15 years, Flu fans were finally able to take away the cry of “champion” from throat.
The game
The match started tensely, nervously, as is usual in a Libertadores decision. Also common was the attitude of coach Fernando Diniz’s team, which maintained control of ball possession and played most of the time in the attacking field. However, despite having the ball, Fluminense took little risk, trying not to give in to dangerous counterattacks to their Argentine opponent.
Boca Juniors tried to reach the goal with quick transitions, with long passes. It was in one of these passes that, in the 15th minute, striker Merentiel received it with space, drove it close to the Tricolor area and shot, but in the middle of the goal, over goalkeeper Fábio.
Zero left the scoreboard after 35 minutes. Left winger, Keno went to the right side of the field to join Arias, the sector’s forward. The two played together, Keno came out free close to the baseline and passed the ball back to the arrival of Germán Cano, who deceived Advíncula’s marking with his movement and hit it first time, into the back of the net. 1-0 for Fluminense in the first half.
The second stage started more openly, with greater intensity from the Argentine team. Boca started to win more divisions and remain in attack. In the 11th minute, Advíncula passed free on the right, cut inside and shot with his left leg. The ball, however, went to the left of the goal.
The Boca Juniors right-back was happier in the 26th minute. Again he received it and shot with his left leg from outside the area, but now crossed, and the ball found the back of the net. 1 to 1 on the scoreboard.
After the goal, Diniz put John Kennedy on the field in place of Ganso and the team advanced. The young striker gave greater verticality to the team, which once again put pressure on and commanded the match. However, the Xeneizes remained alive in the match. At 44, Merentiel led and shot from distance, but the ball went close to Fábio’s post. The game of the match was at 48. Lima gave a perfect pass to Diogo Barbosa behind the Boca defense, who, face to face with the goalkeeper, ended up shooting wide. Extension decreed.
The first half of extra time was tepid, with both teams not having much impetus in attack. However, the Floo was fatal. Diogo Barbosa launched Keno, who headed the ball for John Kennedy to finish quickly. The attacker took it “in the vein” and sent the ball into the corner, at the back of the net. JK went to celebrate in the arms of the fans and, as a result, received a second yellow card and was sent off. Flu spent a few minutes with one less, as at the end of the first half of extra time, left-back Fabra slapped Nino and received a red card.
In the second stage, Libertadores champion Fluminense retreated completely, waiting for Boca in their own field. The Xeneizes, however, created little, only posing danger with shots from outside the area. At 9 minutes into the second half, Tricolor launched a counterattack on the left and Arias reversed the play for Guga, who arrived free. The right-back finished weakly, and the ball rolled slowly, until it touched the post. He almost scored the goal that would define the match. Flu, however, did not need this goal. With 2-1 on the scoreboard, Tricolor finally won the Libertadores!
*With information from SBT Notícias.
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