1-3: Fluminense, closer to the Libertadores final

With a ‘double’ from Argentine Germán Cano, the fluminense beat 1-3 (1-5 on aggregate) in Olympia Paraguayan in the second leg of the quarterfinals of Libertadores Cupand sealed his classification in the semifinal, for example where he will face the Brazilian as well International.

‘Flu’ was not intimidated by a rival who pressured him throughout the match and knew how to stay calm in the defensive back, which was enough for him to define the match against Dean, who put all the meat in grill. , trying his best, but it’s not enough.

Before the start of the match, the fans of the local team tried to put pressure on their rival with a large mosaic that they displayed in the stands of a crowded Defensores del Chaco stadium, boasting of the three times they have won the this contest, in editions. of 1979, 1990 and 2002. “I choose to believe”, read in colorful armor.

As expected, the local team started with high pressure. And they almost caught a surprise in the first seconds of the match after a poor clearance by the ‘Flu’ goalkeeper, Fábio, was intercepted by Argentine striker Facundo Bruera, but the ball bounced wide of the visiting frame. In just 10 minutes, Fábio became a hero by stopping two headed shots in the direction of the goal.

Olimpia’s bet is very risky, with all their lines advanced and the constant pressure on their rivals. The local coach, Francisco ‘Chiqui’ Arce, sent up to eight players to attack and put the huge responsibility of stopping any counter attack on the shoulders of his defenders Mateo Gamarra and Colombian Jhohan Romaña.

And he paid dearly for it, as in the 23rd minute striker John Kennedy broke away on a 30-metre gallop and headed a right-wing cross in front of the goal which was defended by Juan Espínola. With the deficit at 0-1 (0-3 on aggregate) the locals stepped up the pressure. They needed three goals to force a crucial tie through a penalty shootout.

Meanwhile, Fernando Diniz’s men maintained order at the back led by Felipe Melo and Nino. But near the end of the first half, full-back Facundo Sabala burst down the left side, eluded the mark of Samuel Xavier and pointed at the far post from Fábio on the right, who was helpless. With the match tied at 1-1 and with the obligation to score at least two more goals, Olimpia once again dreamed of victory.

Expulsion and blow for Olympia

In the second half, ‘Chiqui’ Tapia noticed the fatigue of his players and brought on Derlis González and Hugo Fernández, for Bruera and Torres, respectively. But everything changed when Fernando Cardozo received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving his team with fewer players.

Fluminense took advantage of this and increased the score with a goal from Cano in the 80th minute. Everything is for Olimpia. A real psychological blow from which he could not recover and with his arms down, he gave space and Cano took the opportunity to score his second goal of the night in the 93rd minute.

DATA SHEET

1 – Olympia: Juan Espinola; Victor Salazar, Jhohan Romaña, Mateo Gamarra, Facundo Zabala; Alejandro Silva, Marcos Gómez (m.46, Guillermo Paiva), Richard Ortiz, Iván Torres (m.61, Hugo Fernández); Fernando Cardozo and Facundo Bruera
Instructor: Francisco Arce
3 – Fluminense: Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo (m.56, Marlon Santos), Diogo Barbosa; André, Paulo Henrique Ganso (m.63, Vinicius Moreira), Jhon Arias (m.88, Leanderson da Silva), Keno (m.63, Alexsander Gomes); John Kennedy and German Ezequiel Cano
Coach: Fernando Diniz
The objectives: 0-1, John Kennedy (d. 24); 1-1, Facundo Zavala (m. 44); 1-2, German Cano (d. 80); 1-3, German Cano (d. 93)
Referee: Venezuelan Jesús Valenzuela sends off Fernando Cardozo (double yellow card) and cautions Salazar, Ortiz, Fernández, Melo and Fábio
Incidents: Return match for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores played at the Defensores del Chaco stadium, in Asunción