Fluminense beats Platense 2-0 and takes advantage in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores

Fluminense took an advantage against Platense in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores. This Tuesday (8), Rio's Tricolor beat the Argentines 2-0 at Maracanã, in the first game of the clash for a place in the semifinals.

This was the 100th duel in the history of the Rio team in the biggest interclub competition on the continent. The updated record is 52 wins, 24 draws and 24 defeats, with 147 goals scored and 99 conceded. Midfielder Martinelli, with 37 games, and goalkeeper Fábio, with 36, are the athletes who defended the team the most in the tournament.

With the triumph in Rio de Janeiro, Fluminense will qualify for the semi-finals even if they lose by a goal difference in the second leg, next Tuesday (15), at 7pm (Brasília time), at the Coliseo de Victoria, in Vicente López, metropolitan region of Buenos Aires. Platense must win by three or more goals to advance. If the aggregate score ends in a draw, the place will be decided on penalties.

In a very truncated game, Tricolor stood out for its efficiency in the first half. In the 20th minute, midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso disarmed Gastón Togni in defense and left the ball with fellow striker Hulk. The number 7 launched midfielder Nonato, who had the freedom to invade the area and finish low past goalkeeper Juan Cozzani.

Nine minutes later, Ganso was called into midfield and found Hulk in the area with a beautiful pass through three defenders. The attacker had time to choose Cozzani's right corner and send it into the net.

Fluminense dropped in production in the final stage, but Platense did little to take advantage. Tricolor still had a great chance to expand in the 45th minute, with Germán Cano, who received the ball from Hércules behind the Argentine marker. The attacker, alone, tried to finish, but felt the back of his thigh and the shot was weak, to the regret of the fans, who hope that the missed goal will not be missed.