Substitute John Kennedy emerged as the hero for Fluminense in their historic Copa Libertadores triumph over 10-man Boca Juniors. The thrilling final saw Fluminense dominate the game in the early stages, enjoying an astonishing 80% possession in the opening 20 minutes. Their relentless pressure paid off when Keno made a blistering run down the right wing, delivering a pinpoint cross to German Cano, who showcased his exceptional skills by deftly peeling off the defender and coolly slotting the ball into the back of the net. Cano has undoubtedly been a revelation for Fluminense throughout the competition, scoring an impressive 13 goals while the rest of his team could only muster the same number.
Although Fluminense controlled the match for the first 50 minutes, Boca Juniors gradually grew into the contest and managed to level the score thanks to a magnificent dipping strike from Luis Advincula from the edge of the box with just 18 minutes remaining. The game then descended into a dramatic extra-time period, initiated by the previously mentioned substitute Kennedy. With the clock ticking, Kennedy displayed his composure in front of goal and hammered home Fluminense’s second goal in the 99th minute, igniting the crowd’s jubilant celebrations. However, his exhilaration proved costly as he was shown a red card for his excessive exuberance in the aftermath of his goal.
As tensions ran high, Boca Juniors found themselves down to 10 men when Frank Fabra received a red card for slapping Nino just before the interval of extra time. Despite Fluminense’s dominance and Guga’s near-miss that struck the woodwork in the dying minutes, the Brazilian side managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead until the final whistle, securing their first-ever Copa Libertadores title at the iconic Maracana Stadium on a memorable Saturday night.
While Fluminense celebrated their triumph, it was a disappointing night for Edinson Cavani. The experienced striker, known for his goal-scoring prowess, struggled to make an impact in the final third. His decision-making was questionable, failing to establish a strong connection with his teammate Miguel Merentiel and squandering several promising opportunities. Subsequently, Cavani was substituted in the 78th minute, leaving the fans yearning for his usual match-winning performances on such a grand stage.
Looking ahead, Fluminense will shift their focus to their upcoming match against Internacional, scheduled for Wednesday. Meanwhile, Boca Juniors will face San Lorenzo on the same day, hoping to bounce back from their Copa Libertadores heartbreak.
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