Fluminense draw with Vasco in derby, reach Carioca final | OneFootball

Fluminense is in the final of the Campeonato Carioca. The team drew 1-1 with Vasco in a classic full of emotions at Maracanã, and qualified because they had won the first leg of the semifinal the previous week.

The match started at a frenetic pace and, in the very first minute, Fluminense had the chance to open the scoring. Canobbio broke out from the defensive half, sped through midfield, entered Vasco’s box, and was brought down by Cauan Barros. Penalty awarded. The responsibility fell to Renê. The full-back walked slowly to the penalty spot and ended up sending his shot wide.

The missed penalty served as fuel for Vasco, who grew into the match right after. The first response came with a shot from David, safely saved by Fábio.As the minutes passed, control of the game shifted. Vasco began to occupy more of the attacking half and frequently threatened the Tricolor’s area. In a cross from Puma, Piton deflected it along the way and the ball fell cleanly to David, who shot over the bar, creating danger.Fluminense tried to react with a play by John Kennedy. After a throw-in, the striker shielded the ball well inside the box and turned to shoot, but sent it wide.At the 33rd minute, Vasco’s pressure turned into a goal. Rojas took a corner, Saldivia headed it, and Fábio made a great save. On the rebound, Robert Renan appeared unmarked to push it into the net. The play was initially ruled out on the field, but after a VAR review, the goal was confirmed with the defender’s position validated.

The second half was also full of emotion, but started more scrappy. The game became concentrated in midfield, with many fouls, tougher challenges, and cards handed out to both sides.The substitutions brought new energy to the match. With fresher players, both teams gained intensity, started to speed up plays down the flanks, and the match became livelier.

Then it was Vasco’s turn to have a penalty in their favor. David broke out from the defensive half and played it to Andrés Gómez, who entered the box and was brought down by Freytes, in a move very similar to the penalty awarded to Fluminense in the first half. The responsibility for the kick fell to former Tricolor player Brenner, with a chance to enforce the “law of the ex.” The striker hit it firmly, but Fábio saved. The ball even hit the post, and then Samuel Xavier cleared it away.

Soon after Fábio’s penalty save, one of the game’s key figures entered the field: Paulo Henrique Ganso. The number 10 helped give more rhythm to the Tricolor midfield, organized the ball circulation, and helped Fluminense control the final stretch of the match.

In the closing stages, with six minutes left before stoppage time, Ganso took a free kick into the box, Jemmes rose to head it, and the ball struck Barros’ hand. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty. With his usual class, Ganso sent Léo Jardim the wrong way and leveled the score.

Having won the first leg 1-0, the draw was enough to secure Fluminense’s place in the final of the Campeonato Carioca — the Tricolor’s sixth final in the last seven editions.

Now, the team coached by Zubeldía awaits the winner of the duel between Flamengo and Madureira in the final. The teams will face each other again this Monday at Maracanã. In the first leg, the Rubro-Negro built a wide advantage by winning 3-0.

PHOTO: LUCAS MERÇON / FLUMINENSE F.C.

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