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.
Highlights coming shortly
The match showed the terrible form of the Tricolor side since returning from the World Cup.
Advertisement
From late July until now, 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 lacked the “Libertadores spirit.”
So much so that Fluminense’s first big chance in the opening half came only in the 41st minute, when Hulk had the chance to pounce on a rebound in the box, but shot wide.
Fluminense’s No. 7, in fact, deserves to be “highlighted.” Unfortunately, in a negative way.
Hulk got absolutely everything he tried wrong and was substituted, under heavy boos, after blasting a long-range free kick over.
Fluminense fans had already made their anger clear at halftime, when they cursed former president and current general director Mário Bittencout and the (still) coach Luis Zubeldía.
Without much attacking power, Fluminense relied on another great night from goalkeeper Fábio, who made big saves, and on luck.
Advertisement
At the start of the second half, Matías Fernández hit the crossbar!
🚦 How it stands
With the result, whoever wins next Tuesday (18), at 7 pm (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.
Read the full article here
