Fluminense secured their place in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil with a 2-1 victory over Operário-PR on Tuesday night at the Maracanã. After a goalless draw in the first leg, the Rio de Janeiro side used home advantage to build a lead and clinch the win in regular time. The result ended a four-game winless streak for Luis Zubeldía’s team and avoided a penalty shootout.
Fluminense now awaits the conclusion of the fifth round and the draw by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to learn their next opponent. For Operário-PR, the elimination ends their run in this year’s tournament, leaving them to focus entirely on the Brazilian Serie B.
The first half saw an aggressive Fluminense pressing high from the start. Early on, Acosta intercepted the ball inside the area and was brought down by Índio, earning a penalty. Savarino stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to open the scoring inside ten minutes.
Although Operário-PR tried to respond, threatening Fábio’s goal, the hosts doubled their lead late in the half. Acosta latched onto a through ball from Nonato and finished to make it 2-0 before the break.
In the second half, drama unfolded when the video assistant referee awarded Fluminense another penalty for handball. However, John Kennedy hit the crossbar from the spot. Operário-PR grew into the game, creating chances through Boschilia. At 37 minutes, the visitors pulled one back as Edwin Torres’ cross found Felipe Augusto, who struck home. Despite late pressure and Edwin Torres being sent off for a second yellow card, Fluminense held on, even hitting the post with a header from Jemmes after a Savarino free kick.
Match Details:
– Fluminense: Fábio; Guga, Jemmes, Freytes, Arana; Hércules, Nonato (Bernal), Lucho Acosta (Ganso); Canobbio (Serna), John Kennedy (Rodrigo Castillo), Savarino. Coach: Luis Zubeldía.
– Operário-PR: Vagner; Mikael Doka, Caenú, Miranda, Moraes (Gabriel Feliciano); Índio (Neto Paraíba), Vinícius Diníz (Felipe Augusto), Boschilia; Hildeberto (Pedro Vilhena), Pablo, Aylon (Edwin Torres). Coach: Luizinho Lopes.
– Goals: Savarino (10′), Luciano Acosta (37′ 1st half); Felipe Augusto (37′ 2nd half)
– Yellow cards: Guga, Jemmes, Lucho Acosta (FLU); Caenú, Aylon (OPE)
– Red card: Edwin Torres (OPE)
– Referee: João Vitor Gobi (SP)
– Attendance: 11,703
– Revenue: R$ 500,993.00
– Venue: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
