First leg: Lanús snatch a late win in Argentina
On September 16, the quarter‑final opened at La Fortaleza Stadium where Lanús needed a solid result to keep their hopes alive. Brazilian side Fluminense pressed early but could not break through the Argentine defence. The deadlock was broken in the 89th minute when Marcelino Moreno slipped the ball past the keeper, sending 35,000 fans into a frenzy. That single goal gave Lanús a 1–0 lead heading into the second leg.
Despite the loss, Fluminense left the match with a respectable defensive record and a few chances that fell short. Coach Marcelo Oliveira praised his squad’s work rate but warned the team must improve finishing if they wanted to overturn the deficit in Rio.
Second leg: Maracanã drama ends in a tie
The return fixture on Tuesday night turned the Maracanã into a cauldron of noise and expectation. Fluzão needed a goal and a handful of points to progress. Early pressure paid off when forward Fred scored in the 22nd minute, leveling the aggregate score at 1‑1.
Lanús, however, stayed compact and looked dangerous on the break. Their equaliser came in the 67th minute via a well‑timed header from defender Facundo Bertoglio, restoring the one‑goal advantage from the first leg. Fluminense pushed for another goal, creating several chances, but Lanús goalkeeper Matías Maidana made a series of crucial saves.
When the final whistle blew, the match finished 1‑1, and the aggregate ended 2‑1 in Lanús’s favour. The Argentine club’s resilience, especially after missing five players to injury in the first match, earned them a place in the semifinals of the Copa Sul-Americana.
- Key players for Lanús: Marcelino Moreno (winner in first leg), Facundo Bertoglio (second‑leg header).
- Fluminense’s top performers: Fred (first‑leg goal), Renato Augusto (midfield creator).
- Next opponent for Lanús: winner of Universidad de Chile vs. Alianza Lima.
Lanús will now focus on preparing for a tough semifinal clash, while Fluminense heads back to domestic duties, contemplating what went wrong and how to bounce back next season.
Sihle Tana
I am a journalist with a passion for covering daily news in Africa. My work has taken me across the continent, reporting on significant events and stories that impact communities. I strive to bring insightful and comprehensive news coverage to my readers.
So let me get this straight-Lanús, a team that lost five players, somehow outlasted Fluminense at the Maracanã? Bro, that’s not football, that’s a Netflix docuseries called 'The Comeback That Defied Physics'. I need a season 2.
Honestly, Fluminense had the better chances throughout both legs. Fred was electric, Renato Augusto controlled the tempo, and their defense held firm until the final 20 minutes. The difference? Lanús capitalized on one mistake and their keeper made three world-class saves. That’s football: one moment, one chance, one goal. No magic, just execution.
Fluminense lost because they’re soft. No discipline. No grit. They had the home crowd, the better squad, and still folded like a lawn chair in a hurricane. I’ve seen college teams fight harder. This is why Brazilian football is in decline.
You realize Lanús only advanced because the CONMEBOL referees were bribed by the Argentine government to prevent a Brazilian team from reaching the semis? The 'injuries' were staged. The 'header' was offside. The keeper’s saves? All caught on camera by a satellite that’s clearly part of the Illuminati’s sports manipulation program.
Big respect to both teams for giving it their all 💕 I know it hurts for Fluminense fans, but football is about more than just winning-it’s about passion, resilience, and showing up even when it’s hard. Lanús played with heart, and Fluminense played with pride. That’s something to be proud of, no matter the score 🌈⚽️
lmao fluminense got outplayed by a team that had 5 guys on the bench. fred was good but like… why u keep passing to the guy who’s double covered?? 😭
Fluminense, don’t hang your heads. You played two tough legs against a gritty opponent. The finishing was off, sure-but that’s fixable. Focus on training those late-game transitions. You’ve got talent. Use this as fuel. Next season, you’ll come back stronger. I believe in you!
i think the ref missed a handball in the 70th min but idk maybe im wrong. the game was kinda boring after the 2nd goal tbh
I’ve studied every Copa Sul-Americana match since 1999. This result is statistically anomalous. Lanús has historically underperformed in away legs by 73%. The only explanation is that Fluminense’s midfield was psychologically compromised by the altitude of Buenos Aires. I’ve written a 47-page paper on this.
This was fixed. The whole thing. The 'injuries'? Scripted. The 'header'? CGI. The keeper’s saves? All from a video game mod. You think CONMEBOL lets a South American team from Argentina beat a Brazilian giant on their home turf? Please. They’re scared of Brazilian dominance. This is cultural sabotage.
You know, in Canada we don’t get too worked up over one game. Football’s like snow-sometimes it falls your way, sometimes it doesn’t. Lanús played smart. Fluminense played hard. Both teams earned respect. The game’s bigger than the result.
Fluminense lost. That’s it.
i’m so sad for the fluminense fans… i know how much this meant to them. it’s okay to feel this way. you gave everything. that’s what matters 💛
This match was a symphony of resilience. Lanús didn’t just win-they redefined what it means to compete with heart. Fluminense, though defeated, played with the soul of champions. The Maracanã roared. The world watched. And in that 120 minutes, we were reminded: football isn’t about trophies-it’s about legacy. Two teams. One unforgettable chapter.