Fluminense drew on its international experience in Mendoza, though it had to endure a nail-biter until the very end to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
The Brazilian team tied 1-1 with Independiente Rivadavia after 90 minutes and ultimately prevailed 5-4 in the penalty shootout, in a match that had it all: a red card, VAR, comebacks, missed penalty kicks, and Fábio, who once again emerged as the hero.
For “La Lepra,” the elimination stings, but their first international appearance left a legacy that will be hard to forget.
A high-intensity first half
The match started at a fast pace, though the opening minutes featured more collisions and arguments than clear scoring chances. Just six minutes in, Maxi Salas tried to catch the defense off guard from outside the box, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Shortly afterward, Nicolás Bolcato made a confident save on a free kick taken by Hulk.
Independiente Rivadavia also looked to create danger. Alex Arce attempted a bicycle kick that was blocked, while Juan Manuel Elordi had another chance with a header that went wide.
However, the clearest chance of the first half went to the Brazilian team. Thiago Silva found himself in a prime position in front of the goal, but his shot went wide. The score remained unchanged, setting the stage for a much more intense second half.
Fluminense were reduced to 10 men, but Lepra couldn’t capitalize
The situation changed shortly after halftime. Before the 15-minute mark of the second half, Fluminense were reduced to 10 men following a red card to Agustín Canobbio. On paper, the situation seemed ideal for Independiente Rivadavia. With a numerical advantage and playing at home, the Argentine team had a great opportunity to take control.
But the reality was quite different.
The team coached by Alfredo Berti failed to translate that advantage into dominance on the field. Far from sitting back, Fluminense continued to press for a goal, and they were finally rewarded.
Kevin Serna put Flu ahead
About half an hour into the second half, Hércules sent a long ball forward into the attack. Kevin Serna read the play perfectly, got behind Sheyko Studer, and found himself one-on-one with Bolcato. The Brazilian forward made no mistake.
He finished calmly to make it 1-0 for Fluminense, making it seem as though Independiente Rivadavia’s run was about to come to an end, but La Lepra still had one last card to play.
VAR came into play in stoppage time
Just when it seemed Fluminense had everything under control, Rivadavia changed the game once again. In stoppage time, a handball by Ignácio inside the box was reviewed by VAR. The referee ultimately awarded a penalty kick, and the responsibility fell to Alex Arce. The Paraguayan forward capitalized. Arce converted from the penalty spot to tie the game at 1-1, sending the crowd in Mendoza into a frenzy and sending the series straight to a penalty shootout.
Fábio became Fluminense’s hero
The penalty shootout was practically a different story. Fluminense went first, and Thiago Silva scored. On the Argentine side, Matías Fernández also scored.
But then came the first major setback for La Lepra: Luciano Acosta sent his shot over the crossbar. Independiente Rivadavia regained the lead when Iván Villalba scored to make it 2-1.
Fluminense responded with a goal by René, while the decisive moment came when Fábio stopped José Florentín’s shot. The series was once again tilting in favor of the Brazilian team. Hércules scored for Fluminense, and Maxi Salas kept La Lepra in the game by scoring for the Argentine team.
Everything seemed headed for an even longer shootout, until Fábio stepped up once again. On Independiente Rivadavia’s sixth penalty kick, the Brazilian goalkeeper stopped Atencio’s shot and put an end to a shootout that finished 5–4 in favor of Fluminense.
Independiente Rivadavia bids farewell with its head held high
The elimination is a blow for Independiente Rivadavia, but it also marks a historic international run for the club. La Lepra reached the Round of 16 in its first international campaign and came within seconds of knocking out one of the continent’s most experienced teams.
Fluminense, for its part, once again demonstrated that it knows how to play these kinds of matches. They didn’t need a brilliant performance. It was enough to hold on, stay alive, and rely on one of its top goalkeepers.
Fluminense is already thinking about the quarterfinals
After a 1-1 draw and a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout, Fluminense advanced to the quarterfinals. Now they’ll have to wait for the winner of the series between Platense and Coquimbo Unido to find out who their next opponent will be. The night in Mendoza ended with Brazilian celebration and Argentine disappointment, but one thing is certain: Independiente Rivadavia made history, and Fluminense survived a battle that at times seemed lost.
