Flúnel do tempo: Bolívar reunion recalls Flu's only La Paz win | OneFootball

Fluminense will once again face Bolívar in a challenging setting: the altitude of La Paz, one of the most feared factors in South American football.

Historically, the Tricolor’s record at high altitudes has not been good — especially above 3,000 meters. In that context, there have been six matches, with three losses, two draws, and just one win. Five of those matches took place at Hernando Siles Stadium, the venue for tonight’s clash. In fact, during their 2023 Copa Libertadores title-winning campaign, the Time de Guerreiros were beaten 1-0 by The Strongest.

Even so, there is a curious detail — and one that offers some comfort to the fans: the only match in history between Fluminense and Bolívar ended in a Tricolor victory, right there in La Paz.

The match between the teams took place in 1950 at Hernando Siles Stadium. On that occasion, Fluminense beat Bolívar 2-1 in a friendly during the club’s tour of South America. The Tricolor’s goals were scored by Silas.

And it was no ordinary team on the pitch. The Tricolor featured historic names such as Pinheiro, Didi, and Orlando Pingo de Ouro, under the command of coach Ondino Vieira — a large part of that squad was also present in the 1952 Copa Rio title.

That match not only marked the first — and to this day only — meeting between the clubs, but also stands as Fluminense’s only victory at such high altitudes.

Next chapter

Fluminense face Bolívar this Thursday (30/04), at 7 p.m., at Hernando Siles Stadium, in the 3rd round of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage.

With just one point so far, the Tricolor need a win to reduce the risk of an early elimination and stay alive in the race for a place in the round of 16.

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