Fluminense Dominates São Paulo to Secure Spot in Libertadores Cup

On Thursday night, Fluminense faced São Paulo at Maracanã Stadium. A draw would have been sufficient for the team to secure a position in the upcoming Libertadores Cup. However, Fluminense did not settle for a tie, delivering a remarkable performance against their rivals.

Fluminense’s Dominance in the Match

The match marked a reunion for coach Zubeldía against his former club, which he left in June. Capitalizing on São Paulo’s missing players, Fluminense controlled the game from start to finish.

Key Moments of the Match

Fluminense’s pressure was evident early on. In just the sixth minute, a handball by Alan Franco was confirmed by VAR, leading to a penalty kick that Canobbio successfully converted.

• 6′ – Canobbio scores from the penalty spot.
• Following the penalty, Samuel Xavier’s cross found Everaldo, whose header rebound led to Martinelli’s goal.
• 22′ – Nonato replaced Hércules and quickly assisted for the third goal after a counter-attack.

Before halftime, Fluminense had several clear chances, further demonstrating their offensive strength.

Second Half Surge

Fluminense continued their dominance into the second half. At the 15-minute mark, Zubeldía substituted Everaldo for John Kennedy, who quickly made his mark.

• Kennedy scored the fourth goal, ending a 10-game drought.
• Shortly after, Canobbio netted the fifth goal after receiving a stunning through ball from Nonato.
• Serna capped off the scoring, assisted by Soteldo, marking his first goal contribution for the team.

Historic Achievement

This victory not only reflected Fluminense’s strong performance but also set a record. It equaled the largest margin in their historic encounters, matching a 2002 duel where São Paulo emerged victorious with the same scoreline.

The win propelled Fluminense temporarily to fifth place in the league with 58 points, solidifying their spot in the G-7. They are now assured of a chance to compete in the upcoming Libertadores Cup.

What’s Next for Fluminense?

As they continue to build momentum, the team aims to solidify their position among the top five in the league. Alternatively, winning the Copa do Brasil could also secure their spot in the group stage of the Libertadores.

On the experience of the match, Kennedy expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Fluminense is on a positive trajectory, and we played exceptionally well today. We started aggressively and were very successful.”