What Fluminense need to reach the Libertadores last 16 | OneFootball

With John Kennedy’s late equalizer in stoppage time, Fluminense salvaged a 1-1 draw with Independiente Rivadavia on Wednesday in Mendoza and remain alive in the race for a spot in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16.

With only two points from four matches and sitting bottom of Group C, Tricolor still depend only on themselves, but will face a tough task in their two remaining matches at the Maracanã.

Standings

Remaining group matches

What does Fluminense need?

The simplest scenario for Tricolor is to win both remaining matches at the Maracanã. Even then, goal difference and the head-to-head against Bolívar will be decisive.

Since they lost 2-0 in Bolivia in the first meeting, Fluminense need to beat Bolívar by three goals to move ahead of their rival directly on the head-to-head tiebreaker, which became the competition’s first tiebreak criterion this season.

In that scenario, beating La Guaira afterward would be enough to secure qualification for the Round of 16.

What if they win by just one goal?

If Fluminense beat Bolívar by the minimum margin, they will still trail in the head-to-head. They would then have to beat La Guaira and hope the Bolivians slip up against Independiente Rivadavia in the altitude of La Paz. A draw or a defeat for Bolívar would do.

What if they win by two goals?

A Tricolor win by two goals would leave Fluminense and Bolívar exactly level on points, head-to-head and goal difference.

That would send the decision to the final matchday. Whoever wins by the bigger margin would advance. If they remain level, the next criteria would be number of red cards, then yellow cards and, as a last resort, a draw conducted by Conmebol.

Any slip-up means elimination

If Fluminense draw or lose to Bolívar in the next round, they will be eliminated from the Libertadores with one match to spare.

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