Fluminense makes history on home soil as Copa Libertadores champions for the first time after hard-fought victory over Boca Juniors

Being American champion at the Maracaná stadium is quite an experience. From this Saturday it will become something unforgettable for Fluminense because it’s the brand new winner of the Copa Libertadores in its 2023 version. In a duel inflamed by a precedent with shades of chronic red, The Brazilian team beat Boca Juniors 2-1 in over 120 minutes.

Both teams arrived with different, but equally important, goals. Argentinians aspired to the coveted seventh star, one that was not given in the 2012 and 2018 definitions, falling to Corinthians and River respectively. Now with Juan Román Riquelme in a managerial role, the xeneizes arrived after 16 years of drought. On the Flu side, they wanted to win the Cup for the first time in their history and thus get rid of the thorn in the 2008 final, when they lost to the Quito League.

There was high tension before the opening whistle, due to clashes between the two bars, with Copacabana beach being the main scene of the conflict. Besides, Trans-Andean supporters denounced the repression of the Brazilian military police. Boca takes over Rio de Janeiro. In a stronghold of nearly 80,000 inhabitants, blue and gold were local, beyond the nominal established by Conmebol.

It took a while for the game to start. Nobody wanted to risk too much. Fluminense had the ball, while Boca gave ground to deny it, leaving Cavani and Merentiel to lead the attack. In a first half in which Jorge Almirón’s team recorded only 32% possession, the Cariocas produced the most elaborate play of the period. In the 36th minute, it was precisely the Argentinian, Germán Cano, who opened the scoring for Fernando Diniz’s team. A low shot, following a cross behind Keno, beat the efficient Sergio Romero for 1-0.

Towards the complement, Fluminense gradually prevented Boca from getting closer. The xeneize team improved but could not produce effectively in the opponent’s field. It came down to an individual attempt to try and tie the match. In the 72nd minute the score was 1-1 thanks to Luis Advíncula. The Peruvian turned to his left leg and fired a close-range shot that beat the experienced Fábio. He scored a goal equal to the one he scored against Colo Colo in the group stage, at the Monumental. Relief for Boca and Almirón. The Uruguayan Edinson Cavani, the star of the team, did not put in the best performance and was replaced 12′ from the end by Benedetto.

As regulation time ended tied, they went to overtime. Thirty more minutes. A priori, it was convenient for Boca to go to penalties, because that is how they qualified consecutively in the previous rounds, with great performances from “Chiquito” Romero. The duel had a more than open panorama. Anyone could win.

Minute 99 and Fluminense strikes again. A superb goal from John Kennedy, with a shot from outside the area, restored the advantage to the French. The frantic celebration of the player, who went to celebrate with the supporters, cost him a red card. The duel heated up and Colombian judge Wilmar Roldán sent off his compatriot Frank Fabra, after attacking a rival, a scene revealed by VAR. Both with 10 elements.

The last 15 minutes were dramatic, with Flo hanging on for dear life, until it ended with a long-awaited celebration. The Rio team is the Libertadores champion for the first time. Besides, They were the only major Brazilian team not to win the continent’s biggest title. Additionally, Marcelo joins the select group of players who have won the Libertadores and the Champions League. The Maracaná is tricolor.