Fluminense edge Athletico-PR with late goal, now second in the Brasileirão | OneFootball

By Gazeta Press

Fluminense defeated Athletico-PR by 3 to 2 this Sunday at Maracanã, in the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship. The goals of the match were scored by Hércules, Agustín Canobbio, and Guilherme Arana for the Tricolor, while Stiven Mendoza and Luiz Gustavo scored for the Hurricane.

The winning goal for the Tricolor came in the stoppage time of the second half. After a play by Lucho Acosta, the ball fell to Guilherme Arana, who hit a strong shot into the top corner to secure Fluminense's victory at Maracanã.

https://twitter.com/FluminenseFC/status/2033291646226268539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Standings Situation

With the victory, Fluminense reached 13 points and took the second place in the Brazilian Championship. Meanwhile, Athletico-PR remained with seven points and occupies the tenth position in the standings.

How was the game?

Athletico opens the scoring, but Fluminense reacts quickly

The game started lively at Maracanã. Just four minutes in, Athletico-PR took the lead. After an attempted clearance by the Tricolor defense, the ball fell to Bruno Zapelli, who set up Stiven Mendoza at the edge of the area. The forward hit a cross shot, the ball hit the post before going in, opening the scoring.

Fluminense's response was immediate. At eight minutes, after a mistake in the ball exit by goalkeeper Santos, the ball stayed with the Tricolor and reached Hércules in the area. The midfielder hit a strong shot into the top corner to equalize.

Fluminense grew in the match and started to press. John Kennedy missed a good opportunity inside the area, while Lucho Acosta made a great individual play, dribbling several opponents before being stopped by the goalkeeper.

Sending off changes the game and Flu turns it around in the first half

Athletico's situation became more complicated at 27 minutes. After VAR review, the referee sent off Zapelli for a studs-up challenge on Samuel Xavier.

With an extra player, Fluminense increased the pressure. The team accumulated chances until they managed to turn it around at 36 minutes. After a good play on the left, Soteldo participated in the build-up that ended with Agustín Canobbio finishing strongly to score the second Tricolor goal.

Athletico equalizes, but Arana decides in stoppage time

In the second half, Fluminense maintained control of possession and created good opportunities. Savarino hit the crossbar after a play by Lucho Acosta, while Hércules forced Santos to make a great save.

Even with one player less, Athletico managed to react. At 29 minutes, after a cross into the area, Luiz Gustavo rose well and headed into the corner to equalize the match.

When the duel seemed headed for a draw, Fluminense found the winning goal in stoppage time. At 48 minutes, Lucho Acosta invaded the area and the ball fell to Guilherme Arana, who hit a strong shot into the top corner to secure the Tricolor's triumph at Maracanã.

📋 Match Summary

🔴🟢⚪ FLUMINENSE 3 x 2 ATHLETICO-PR 🔴⚫ Location: Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro-RJ) Date: March 15, 2026 (Sunday) Time: 4 PM (Brasília time) Yellow cards: Savarino and Guilherme Arana (FLU); Viveros and Luiz Gustavo (ATL) Red card: Bruno Zapelli (ATL)

Refereeing

Goals

⚽ Stiven Mendoza, 4′ 1st Half ⚽ Hércules, 8′ 1st Half ⚽ Agustín Canobbio, 36′ 1st Half ⚽ Luiz Gustavo, 29′ 2nd Half ⚽ Guilherme Arana, 48′ 2nd Half

FLUMINENSE: Fábio; Samuel Xavier (Jemmes), Ignácio, Freytes, and Guilherme Arana; Hércules, Martinelli, and Lucho Acosta; Savarino (Yeferson Soteldo), Agustín Canobbio (Serna), and John Kennedy (Rodrigo Castillo). Coach: Luis Zubeldía.

ATHLETICO-PR: Santos; Benavídez, Terán (Aguirre), Arthur Dias, and Esquivel (Renan Peixoto); Portillo, Luiz Gustavo (Felipinho), Portilla (Léo Derik), and Bruno Zapelli; Stiven Mendoza, Viveros, and Julimar (Jadson). Coach: Odair Hellmann

Next Matches

In the next round, Fluminense returns to the field on Wednesday, when they play the classic against Vasco, again at Maracanã, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time). On the same day, Athletico-PR hosts Cruzeiro at Ligga Arena, at 7:30 PM.

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