At the Maracanã, Fluminense drew 0-0 with Independiente Rivadavia this Tuesday (11) in the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores 2026 round of 16.
The match highlighted the Tricolor side’s terrible form since returning from the World Cup.
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Since late July, the Rio team have drawn six matches and lost the derby against Vasco, which meant elimination from the Copa do Brasil.
The game against Rivadavia exposed a team that was tactically disorganized and lacking the “Libertadores spirit.”
So much so that Fluminense’s first big chance in the opening half only came in the 41st minute, when Hulk had a chance to pounce on a rebound in the box but shot wide.
The Tricolor’s No. 7, in fact, deserves to be “highlighted.” Unfortunately, for the wrong reasons.
Hulk got absolutely everything he tried wrong and was substituted to a chorus of boos after blasting a long-range free kick over.
The anger of the Fluminense fans was already evident at halftime, when they insulted former president and current general director Mário Bittencout and the (still) head coach Luis Zubeldía.
With little attacking threat, Fluminense relied on another great night from goalkeeper Fábio, who made several big saves, and on luck.
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Early in the second half, Matías Fernández hit the crossbar!
At the final whistle, the Fluminense fans made themselves heard again, loudly chanting: “Shame, shame, shameless team!”
🚦 Standings
With this result, whoever wins next Tuesday (18) at 7 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas will advance to the quarterfinals.
If there is another draw, the spot will be decided on penalties.
Whoever goes through will face the winner of Platense vs. Coquimbo Unido.
Before that, next Saturday (15), Fluminense host Palmeiras at the Maracanã in the 23rd round of the 2026 Brasileirão.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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