Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Fluminense (Bra) – Olimpia Asuncion (Par) – 2:0
In a thrilling game at the Maracanã, Fluminense fans erupted in celebration as their team dominated the first leg of the Libertadores quarter-final against Olimpia-PAR, securing a resounding 2-0 victory. The electric atmosphere was fed by a grandiose mosaic that adorned the stands, setting the scene for an unforgettable match.
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It should be noted that Olympia is an uncomfortable opponent for Fluminense. These clubs have previously met four times in the Copa Libertadores. In 2013, in the quarter-finals, Fluminense played at home – 0:0, losing away – 1:2. In that tie, Olimpia reached the final, losing on penalties to Atlético Mineiro. In 2022, the teams met right at the start of the tournament, in the third qualifying round. The clubs “exchanged” home wins – 3:1 in Brazil and 2:0 in Paraguay. Olympia went further on penalties – 4:1.
The jubilation of the 64,000 Tricolor fans reverberated throughout the stadium as Fluminense showed their prowess on the pitch. André and Germán Cano emerged as the heroes of the night, each scoring in different parts of the game. André’s deflected shot in the first half brought tears of joy, while Cano’s fine volley after a Martinelli header solidified the victory.
Fluminense’s dominance was palpable, holding an impressive 80% of the ball at the end of the first half. Olimpia-PAR struggled to shake off the relentless attack, with their defense looking like a fortress under siege from Flu’s relentless attack.
In this match, the attendance record for the New Maracanã was set with 64,047 spectators. The previous record was 63,707 people. It was installed during the match between Fluminense and Ceará (2-1) in the 16th round of the 2022 Brazilian Championship.
With a 2-0 lead in hand, Fluminense’s prospects for the semi-finals are promising. The tricolor side have the advantage of a one-goal defeat in Paraguay going into the second leg. However, if Olimpia manage to overturn the deficit and level the aggregate score, the fate of the match will be decided on penalties.
Fluminense’s aspirations for a historic Copa Libertadores triumph have raised the hopes of their fans, who are preparing for a possible showdown in the final at the Maracanã on November 4.