By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Boca Juniors beat Fluminense 2-0 yesterday in the Copa Libertadores to spoil Tricolor celebrations at the Engenhão. Over 36,000 fans had filled the stadium in anticipation of a fifth straight success in the tournament, but defeat saw Flu lose top ranking in the competition as their hundred percent record in the group stages vanished.
The Rio club were wasteful with ball possession whilst their Argentine counterparts seized the opportunity to take revenge for Flu’s 2-1 win in the Bombonera last month and guaranteed themselves a place in the knock-out stages next month. Flu’s night seemed condemned when Rafael Moura missed a penalty to signal a nasty night for the Cariocas.
Fluminense started the game on the front foot, emboldened by the din the fans were making, but Boca, who are six-time Libertadores champions, proved they remain a force to be reckoned with. Just before the half-hour, Darío Cvitanich found ample space in the Flu defense and tapped the ball past Cavalieri to open the scoring.
Fluminense remained on the offensive for the remainder of the half, Fred wasting the side’s best chance when he couldn’t direct Wellington Nem’s cross properly. The second period started in the same vein, but for all their possession Flu could not create threatening opportunities thanks to Boca’s well drilled unit.
The visitors made sure of the points fifteen minutes from time. Mouche crossed for Sánchez Miño to finish without difficulty and put the Argentinians out of sight, turning all Tricolor celebrations blue and yellow.
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