John Kennedy struck a spectacular extra-time winner as Fluminense ended their lengthy await a primary ever Copa Libertadores crown on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Argentina’s Boca Juniors.
Substitute Kennedy volleyed dwelling from the sting of the world within the 99th minute of an ill-tempered ultimate at Rio’s Maracana Stadium after the match completed 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Kennedy was promptly despatched off for accumulating a second yellow card for an over-exuberant celebration amongst Fluminense’s delirious dwelling followers following the purpose.
The 21-year-old Kennedy – named by his history-loving father after the thirty fifth President of the United States – had been a decisive affect for Fluminense after being introduced on as an alternative choice to playmaker Ganso 10 minutes from the top of regular time.
At that time, Boca appeared to be getting on high after equalizing with a 72nd-minute shot from Peruvian worldwide proper again Luis Advincula which cancelled out Fluminense’s Thirty sixth-minute opener from veteran ahead German Cano.
But the arrival of Kennedy breathed contemporary life into the Fluminense assault and within the first half of additional time, the younger ahead made the breakthrough.
A deft contact by Keno teed up the ball for Kennedy in house, who crashed a thunderous right-foot volley past the dive of Boca’s former Manchester United and Argentina worldwide goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Tempers flared close to halftime of additional time with an unsightly multi-player melee after unsuccessful Boca appeals for a penalty.
Cagey 90 minutes
Boca’s Frank Fabra was given his marching orders by Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan after a video assistant referee (VAR) evaluate caught him aiming a slap at Fluminense defender Nino.
With each groups right down to 10 males, Fluminense may have wrapped up victory however Guga’s effort after a sweeping counterattack got here again off the within of the put up and rolled throughout the face of purpose.
Fluminense, the four-time champions of Brazil, have been one among simply two of the nation’s 12 greatest golf equipment by no means to have received the Libertadores previous to Saturday’s victory.
But Kennedy’s extra-time thunderbolt handed Fluminense a victory that offers Brazilian golf equipment a fifth straight win within the match for the reason that introduction of single-match format finals in 2019.
The recreation had gone to additional time after a cagey 90 minutes completed degree at 1-1.
Fluminense had taken the lead with a well-worked opening purpose from veteran striker Cano after 36 minutes.
Keno was concerned in that purpose too, taking part in a neat 1-2 with Jhon Arias earlier than pulling again for Cano, who swept in an emphatic low end.
The ultimate appeared to be Fluminense’s for the taking in opposition to a toothless Boca facet who had only one shot within the first half.
The second-half started in a lot the identical method, however as Boca started to press for an equaliser, Fluminense dropped deeper and regarded more and more nervous.
They paid the value for that method on 72 minutes when proper again Advincula superior on purpose, reducing in from the flank and unleashing an excellent effort into the far nook past the dive of Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio.
The purpose silenced the Maracana as Fluminense’s followers feared the worst in opposition to the Argentine giants.
But Kennedy’s arrival wrested momentum again in favour of the Rio membership, establishing his extra-time winner.
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