Lezcano and Kennedy score as Flu win 2026 Carioca opener | OneFootball

Fluminense debuted with a victory in the 2026 Campeonato Carioca. With a mixed team led by assistant coach Maxi Curberas, the Tricolor defeated Madureira 2-1 on Wednesday night at Estádio Luso Brasileiro, in the first round of the competition.

The match marked Flu’s first official commitment of the season and featured debuts of the new signings for 2026, in addition to strong individual performances, especially in the first half.

How was the match?

First half

Fluminense started the match with more offensive initiative. In the eighth minute, they created the first big chance after a cross from Júlio Fidelis and a dangerous shot from Santi Moreno, which went close to the goal.

At the 20-minute mark, the Tricolor threatened again on the left side. On his debut, Guilherme Arana set up Ruben Lezcano inside the box, but the shot was blocked by Madureira’s defense.

The opponent responded at 31 minutes, with a free kick that forced goalkeeper Vitor Eudes to make a good save.

At the 40-minute mark, Fluminense opened the scoring. After high pressing and ball recovery by Santi Moreno, the play went through John Kennedy before reaching Lezcano, who finished precisely to score Flu’s first goal of the season.

However, Madureira responded immediately. Two minutes later, Marcão took advantage of a corner kick and rose higher than the defense to head in the equalizer.

Even with the draw, the Tricolor finished the first half with greater possession and attacking volume, although still at a slow pace, which is common at the start of the season. Santi Moreno was the team’s main standout.

Second half

After the break, Fluminense maintained their offensive posture. In the eighth minute, Arana switched play nicely to Riquelme, who crossed perfectly for Lezcano to head, forcing a save from the opposing goalkeeper.

As time went on, Flu’s rhythm dropped, and the team produced less offensively. At 25 minutes, Curberas made changes, bringing on Matheus Reis and Agner for Santi Moreno and Lezcano.

The change paid off. At 28 minutes, Matheus Reis started the play, found Agner, who assisted John Kennedy. The striker dribbled past his marker and finished with style to score a beautiful goal and put Fluminense back in the lead.

Curberas made further changes to rotate the squad, bringing on Luiz Fernando, Léo Jance, and Davi for Otávio, Arana, and Riquelme.

In the final stretch, the Tricolor kept pressing to increase the score. At 44 minutes, John Kennedy played a great pass to Júlio Fidélis, who tried a chip shot but was blocked.

Then at 45, Flu had a good opportunity from a free kick near the box. Agner struck powerfully towards the corner, forcing Madureira’s goalkeeper to make a good save.

In the final minutes, Fluminense managed the result well.

Next match

With the win in their debut, Fluminense returns to the field next Saturday at 6:30 pm, when they face Boavista in Saquarema, for the second round of the Campeonato Carioca.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.