- Home >
- Soccer >
- CONMEBOL Libertadores >
- Fluminense Crowned Copa Libertadores Champions, Defeating Boca Juniors in Thrilling Final
Fluminense Crowned Copa Libertadores Champions, Defeating Boca Juniors in Thrilling Final
Fluminense of Brazil triumphed over Argentina's Boca Juniors with a nail-biting 2-1 victory at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. This marked Fluminense's maiden Copa Libertadores title.
In a gripping Copa Libertadores final, Fluminense of Brazil triumphed over Argentina's Boca Juniors with a nail-biting 2-1 victory at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. This marked Fluminense's maiden Copa Libertadores title in only their second appearance in the final stage of the competition.
The scoring was opened by the Argentine sharpshooter Germán Cano in the 36th minute, thanks to an assist by Keno, setting the tone for what was to be a rollercoaster of emotions. Boca Juniors managed to claw back into the game with a 72nd-minute equalizer from Luis Advíncula, whose long-range effort found its way into the back of the net. However, Fluminense's super-sub John Kennedy, coming off the bench, had the final say with his extra-time goal in the 99th minute, a strike that Boca's goalkeeper Sergio "Chiquito" Romero was powerless to stop. Kennedy's night would later be tainted by a red card, following his second yellow for excessive celebration.
Fluminense's historic win was driven by several standout performances. Keno’s impressive five assists, two of which came in the final, made him the tournament’s leading assist provider. On the other side, Boca Juniors faced a disappointing statistic, as their failure to win extended to seven games, their longest winless streak in the Libertadores since at least 2014. Germán Cano's consistency for Fluminense was also noteworthy; he contributed to goals in his last five games, including seven goals and two assists, with his decisive scoring in the final solidifying a 13-goal tally, making him the tournament's top scorer.
Fluminense's victory was underlined by their impressive scoring record, with goals in their last eight games, totaling 15 goals during this run. This form not only delivered the much-coveted Libertadores title but also solidified their status as an attacking powerhouse. For Boca Juniors, despite the heartbreak, Luis Advíncula emerged as a bright spot, becoming the team's top scorer with his fourth goal in the competition.
The Rio club's triumph capped off an undefeated eight-game streak in the Libertadores, matching their longest unbeaten run from the previous year. This victory was a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess, bringing immense joy to their fans and writing a new, glorious chapter in their storied history. Fluminense's ascension to the summit of South American club football is a momentous occasion, as they hoisted the prestigious trophy to the delight of their passionate supporters, crowning themselves the kings of the continent.