September 28 – Inspired by striker German Cano, Fluminense drew 2-2 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores final semi-final to keep their chances of reaching the final alive.
For more than a half, the Rio club played with a man down against the visitors from Porto Alegre, but goals by Cano either side of half time helped Fluminense to a crucial draw.
“It was a very competitive game, very open at both ends,” said Cano. “We were one man down for almost 50 minutes. We were a team of warriors, we fought until the end. We didn’t manage to get the victory, but we’ll keep working hard to improve.”
Fluminense are seeking to win a second South American title. They will travel to Rio Grande do Sul for next week’s return leg.
Manager Fernando Diniz criticised the match officials.
“I was happy with what Fluminense did. The negative point was the refereeing. I ask you to see the action. In Samuel’s first move, Valencia clearly fouls Nino. You can say it’s a Libertadores game, so Samuel’s game didn’t deserve a yellow card. Then, when he is expelled, he is expelled with a conviction that even made me upset with Samuel. When I saw it, he withdrew his foot,” said Diniz.
On Thursday, Palmeiras and Boca Juniors will face off in the competition’s other semi-final. The Buenos Aires giants stand in the way of a fourth consecutive all-Brazilian final. Palmeiras won the competition in 2021. They will seek to win a third Libertadores in four years, cementing Brazil’s recent dominance in the competition.
Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium will host the final on November 4.
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