Fluminense punishes River Plate with historic defeat in Libertadores

The Brazilian team showed football and character in the Maracanã with a win that is historic for the competition
by
Josué Seixas
2023-05-03 13:56:40

Fluminense defeated River Plate 5-1 last night at the Maracanã Stadium and proved how strong they are in the campaign at the Copa Libertadores.

With a hat-trick from Germán Cano and two from Jhon Arias, the Brazilian team scored five against the Argentines, with Lucas Beltrán’s scoring their sole opportunity. Los Millonarios finished the game with 10 men after Leandro González Pírez saw his second yellow card in the 68th minute.

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The defeat suffered by River is the biggest in its history and the first time that an Argentine team has conceded five goals in a Conmebol competition. Until now, the biggest defeat had been a 4-0 defeat by Gremio in 2002, also on Brazilian soil. The goals were scored by Rodrigo Mendes, Luizão, Zinho and Luís Mári.

The win for Fluminense also represents a milestone for the Brazilians, being the second most important behind the 6-0 win against Arsenal de Sarandí in 2008 and the 1971 win against Deportivo Italia (now Deportivo Miranda) from Venezuela.

The Flu, with this victory, is positioned first with three wins in three games and is emerging as the favorite to go first in a group that presented certain difficulties. On the next date, the Brazilians will have to travel to Bolivia to face The Strongest at the altitude.