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Fluminense defeats Gremio in a thrilling Libertadores clash
Curitiba, Paraná – Fluminense secured a 2-1 victory over Gremio in a thrilling Round of 16 match of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, played at the Estádio Major Antônio Couto Pereira. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams seeking victory from the start.
Fluminense dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities early on, but it was Gremio who opened the scoring in the 58th minute through a goal by Lima, assisted by PH Ganso. However, Gremio equalized in the 74th minute with a penalty converted by Reinaldo. The same player scored again in the 77th minute, giving Gremio the lead.
Despite being behind, Fluminense refused to give up and pressed for an equalizer. Their efforts paid off in the 84th minute when Rodrigo Ely of Gremio received a red card for a foul. The numerical advantage allowed Fluminense to create more danger and eventually equalize with a goal from Lima.
The match ended with a 2-2 draw that reflects the intensity of the encounter. Fluminense was superior in possession and generated more scoring chances, but Gremio proved to be more effective in the final third. Both teams displayed a high level of play, which augurs a tight second leg.
Statistics:
Gremio: 40% possession, 12 shots (4 on target, 6 off target), 4 corners, 8 fouls, 2 yellow cards, 1 red card.
Fluminense: 60% possession, 13 shots (5 on target, 4 off target), 5 corners, 5 fouls, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
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Substitutions fluminense: at minute 21 Keno came in and Martinelli went out., at minute 56 F. Bernal came in and Alexsander went out., at minute 56 Lima came in and Keno went out., at minute 85 John Kennedy came in and Kaua Elias went out., at minute 85 Guga came in and Esquerdinha went out.
Substitutions gremio: at minute 63 Gustavo Nunes came in and C. Pavon went out., at minute 63 M. Monsalve came in and F. Cristaldo went out., at minute 85 Gustavo Martins came in and M. Braithwaite went out., at minute 90 Du Queiroz came in and Y. Soteldo went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
Gremio
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