Fluminense go ahead, but Cruzeiro equalise at the Mineirão | OneFootball

Fluminense drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro on Sunday night at Mineirão in the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. John Kennedy scored for the Tricolor, but Matheus Pereira, from a free kick that took a deflection, leveled the match.Even with key absences on both sides, the teams played a great first half. Fluminense had the chance to go ahead through Kevin Serna, but Otávio made the save. Cruzeiro responded soon after with a powerful long-range strike from Lucas Romero, forcing Fábio into a great save. With the talent of Matheus Pereira and Gérson, the Minas Gerais side grew into the game and piled up good chances, but striker Néiser Villareal failed to convert them. John Kennedy, on the other hand, made no mistake when his chance came. The Tricolor striker won the ball, drove forward, cut inside, and finished past the Cruzeiro goalkeeper.In the second half, the fast pace continued, but with Cruzeiro controlling the game. Fluminense, holding the lead, adopted a more conservative approach. Max Cuberas, who was on the touchline because of Zubeldía’s suspension, brought on Renê in place of Arana to strengthen the defense. The left-back did, in fact, improve Fluminense’s defending. Even so, it was not enough to keep a clean sheet. Matheus Pereira took the free kick, the ball deflected off Jemmes’ head, and left Fábio with no chance. The Fluminense goalkeeper even got a touch on the ball, but not enough to keep it out. In the final moments, Germán Cano had the winning chance. Millán won it in the air and laid it off for the Argentine striker, who failed to connect cleanly and made the save easy for Otávio. With the result, Fluminense reached 31 points and regained third place in the Brazilian Championship — Athletico-PR had overtaken the Tricolor on Saturday.Now, Fluminense will take a long break for the World Cup and will only return at the end of July, against Bragantino, in the Brasileirão.

Photo: Marcelo Gonçalves/FFC

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