🎥 At 45, Fábio fires Fluminense into Libertadores quarter-finals
· Yahoo Sports
Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel.
The tireless 45-year-old goalkeeper made ALL THE DIFFERENCE for Fluminense to reach the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals this Tuesday (18).
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After a 1-1 draw in regular time — including a goal conceded in the 96th minute after VAR intervention — Tricolor came out on top in the penalty shootout.
Lucho Acosta blasted his attempt over, but the Tricolor idol saved two spot-kicks to secure a 5-4 victory.
The qualification came after going down to 10 men, suffering heartbreak in stoppage time, and then turning it around on penalties.
Check out the highlights below.
There were no real scoring chances...
Flu’s greater possession (68%) did not translate into pressure or big chances.
Without support, Soteldo, for example, made no difference down the left.
The idea of controlling the game worked well. But there was a lack of inspiration to break down a well-organized opponent out of possession.
Rivadavia, meanwhile, tried to take advantage of the rare spaces to counterattack.
But they did not even hit Fábio’s goal.
Tension for Flu 🟥
Tricolor’s game plan fell apart in the 13th minute of the second half after Canobbio, already on a yellow, was shown another and sent off.
Marcão chose to take off Ganso and Hulk to add pace with Lucho and Serna.
'Cristiano Sernaldo' shines
Flu then dropped deeper and looked to hit on the counterattack.
And it paid off in the 76th minute.
Hércules’ long ball found Serna. And he delivered.
VAR changes the on-field decision
After the ball was sent into the Tricolor box, Studer struck it first time.
And the ball hit Ignácio’s right arm, with the defender right on top of the play.
And already pulling his arm back.
The referee signaled offside, but was called by VAR. He then returned and awarded the penalty.
Libertadores top scorer Arce stepped up and made it 1-1 in the 96th minute.
He is f%&@ing incredible!
Flu started well, but fell behind after Lucho Acosta blasted his penalty over.
But the Tricolor goalkeeper denied Florentín and then Atencio.
And Tricolor celebrated in Mendoza.
Check out the highlights.
What now❓
Fluminense now await the winner between Coquimbo Unido and Platense.
After a 1-1 draw in Argentina, the teams will meet again this Wednesday (19).
The possible semifinal opponent will be LDU, Mirassol, Cerro Porteño or Palmeiras.
Tricolor will return to action in the Brasileirão on Saturday (22).
They are currently fourth in the table and will face Remo (18th) at the Maracanã.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.