The Argentine striker saves the Rio team from home defeat and defines the place in the final for the Beira-Rio match
In one of the best games of the year, Fluminense and International drew 2-2 this Wednesday in Maracanain the first leg of the semi-final of Liberators’ Cup. The Rio team played the entire second half with ten men due to the expulsion of Samuel Xavier and counted on two goals from Cano, one of them late, to equalize at home. Hugo Mallo and Alan Patrick scored for the Gauchos.
The two teams will decide their place in the final of the South American competition next Wednesday, at the Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre. A new draw leads to the decision on penalties.
The spectacular celebration of the Fluminense fans did not intimidate Internacional, who adopted an offensive attitude, highlighting the strength and speed of the Ecuadorian Enner Valência, author of three beautiful plays. But the most dangerous moment was with Mauricio, whose shot went close to the right post.
Fluminense, driven by the strength of the stands, attacks from the flanks. First with Arias, then with Keno, who forces Rochet to make a great save. Fábio also had to demonstrate his great form in Valencia’s new move.
In such an open match, the goal wasn’t long in arriving. In the 9th minute, after an error with the ball, Atias steals it, passes it to John Kennedy, who passes it to Cano: 1-0, Fluminense. Inter sensed the goal and came close to doubling the score in the 20th minute, after a nice combination between Cano and Keno, but Rochet, once again, closed Gaucho’s goal.
The operation gave new energy to Inter, who went on the attack. In the main duel of the first half between Felipe Melo and Enner Valencia, the victory went to the attacker. In the 24th minute, the Ecuadorian beat the defender and passed to Alan Patrick. The goal did not come from Cauã, thanks to a great save from the veteran Fábio, who in the following minute made another great save on Wanderson’s shot.
In the 34th minute, with a curious move, Felipe Melo made a serious mistake and left the ball free for Valencia, but the Ecuadorian didn’t seem to believe in this opportunity. But in football things change from one moment to the next. In the 44th minute Samuel Xacier received his second yellow card and was sent off. In the 50th minute, Mallo equalized with a header after a VAR analysis.
If the first half was good, the second was even better. With one more player, Inter dominates the match, while Fluminense focuses on counterattacks. Both teams had a chance to score. Wanderson forces Fábio into a great save and Mercado scores with a header, but he touches the ball with his hand and the shot is disallowed. Alexsander put the danger in Inter’s goal.
But in a collective play, in the 18th minute, the ball fell to Alan Patrick, one of the best Dops on the pitch. The midfielder gives Marcelo a great dribble and gives Inter the lead again, with the right to comeback: 2-1.
The match continues to be well played at a fast pace. Fluminense bets on the talent of its players. And it was successful. In the 32nd minute, from a corner, Nino heads it and Cano appears in the center of the area to equalize: 2-2: it is the eleventh goal of the Argentine, top scorer of this edition of the Libertadores.
The game became more nervous and several fouls were committed. A draw proved to be the fairest result.
FLUMINENSE 2 X 2 INTERNATIONAL
- FLUMINENSE – Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo (Marlon) and Marcelo; André, Ganso (Alexsander) and Arias; Keno (Lima), Cano and John Kennedy (Guga). Coach: Fernando Diniz.
- INTERNATIONAL -Spool; Mallo, Vitão (Igor Gomes), Mercado and Renê; Johnny (Rômulo), Aránguiz (Alexsander), Maurício (Dalbert) and Wanderson; Alan Patrick (Lucca) and Enner Valencia. Coach: Eduardo Coudet.
- GOALS – Cano at 9 and Mallo at 50′ of the 1st half. Alan Patrick at 18 and Cano at 32 of the second.
- YELLOW CARDS – Johnny, Lucca, Alexander.
- RED CARD -Samuel Xavier.
- REFEREE – Darío Herrera (ARG).
- INCOME – Not disclosed.
- PUBLIC – 67,515 fans.
- LOCAL – Maracana, in Rio (RJ).
Source: Terra
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