“A flare-up between players from both sides saw Nonato and José Florentín both booked for arguing, setting a fractious tone heading into the final half-hour.”
“Álex Arce gave Independiente Rivadavia the lead against the run of play, punishing Fluminense's failure to convert their possession into a goal and sending the home side into raptures.”
Pivotal“Fluminense coach Luis Zubeldia was booked for protesting on the touchline, reflecting the mounting tension as his side chased an equaliser with time running out.”
“John Kennedy, on the pitch for just twelve minutes after coming on as a substitute, equalised for Fluminense in stoppage time to snatch a point that had looked beyond them and deny Rivadavia one of the great Copa Libertadores upsets.”
Pivotal
Independiente Rivadavia
Fluminense
Outstanding performance
Independiente Rivadavia•AttackerFluminense dominated possession with 73% of the ball and 615 passes completed at 90% accuracy, but found themselves unable to convert their territorial control into clear-cut chances, managing just one big chance created to Rivadavia's three. The hosts, camped deep and compact, made the most of their limited ball with a disciplined defensive shape that frustrated the Brazilian giants for long stretches. Álex Arce broke the deadlock on 66 minutes, capitalising on Rivadavia's counter-attacking threat despite the underdog spending much of the game behind the ball — a moment that crystallised just how dangerous the Mendoza side could be on limited possession. With the match slipping away, Fluminense's triple substitution on 78 minutes changed the dynamic entirely, and John Kennedy vindicated his introduction by heading home in stoppage time to level the scores and preserve Fluminense's unbeaten record in this Copa Libertadores group.
How entertaining was this match?
John KennedyJohn Kennedy scores with a left-footed shot.
Kevin Serna takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Rodrigo Castillo's header is saved.
Gonzalo Rios is on, and Fabrizio Sartori is off.
Leonel Bucca replaces Matias Carlos Alberto Fernandez.
Kevin Serna is on, and Agustin Canobbio Graviz is off.
Alejo Osella replaces Ezequiel Bonifacio.
Juan Manuel Elordi comes on for Luciano Gomez.
Leonard Costa takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Agustin Canobbio Graviz takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ivan Villalba is on, and Alex Adrian Arce Barrios is off.
John Kennedy is on, and Hercules Pereira do Nascimento is off.
Yeferson Julio Soteldo Martinez replaces Jefferson Savarino.
Alisson Euler de Freitas Castro comes on for Gustavo Nonato Santana.
Agustin Canobbio Graviz takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Claudio Rodrigues Gomes receives a yellow card for Guga.
Ignacio Da Silva Oliveira's header is blocked.
Alex Adrian Arce Barrios scores with a header.
Gustavo Nonato Santana receives a yellow card.
IgnácioYellow CardYellow card issued to Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla.
Rodrigo Castillo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Alex Adrian Arce Barrios takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Gustavo Nonato Santana takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Matias Carlos Alberto Fernandez takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Rodrigo Castillo attempts a header but misses the shot.
Guilherme Antonio Arana Lopes takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Alex Adrian Arce Barrios attempted a header but missed the shot.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Luciano AcostaYellow CardLuciano Federico Acosta receives a yellow card.
Matias Carlos Alberto Fernandez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Tomas Bottari takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla's header is saved.
Fabrizio Sartori takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Agustin Canobbio Graviz attempts a header but misses the shot.
Sebastian Villa Cano takes a right-footed shot but misses.
HérculesYellow CardHercules Pereira do Nascimento receives a yellow card.
Tomás BottariYellow CardTomas Bottari receives a yellow card.
Sheyko Studer takes a shot with his head but misses.
Alex Adrian Arce Barrios takes a shot with his head, but it hits the post.
Fabrizio Sartori takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Gustavo Tejera.
Independiente Rivadavia, the surprise leaders of Copa Libertadores Group C, host a battered Fluminense side at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas looking to complete a perfect group stage sweep. With three wins from three and the memory of a stunning Maracanã upset still fresh, the Mendoza club have a golden chance to seal top spot — while Fluminense, ravaged by injuries and suspensions, desperately need their first group win to keep knockout hopes alive.
