Libertad Vs. Fluminese: 3-0 Libertad Win Seals Passage To Next Round

For a long time it didn’t look as though it was going to happen for the hosts. Libertad were dominating the game against Fluminese, getting chance after chance to get back into the back, but coming up empty each time. They needed to overcome a 3-1 away deficit, and when halftime came and went with the score still at 0-0 it didn’t look like they had much hope of advancing past the Round of Sixteen in the Copa Libertadores.

The second half was perhaps worse, at least to start. Again, they were getting chances and not converting, but this time the referee was getting involved, turning down at least one good penalty appeal with the score still at 0-0. Then they were handed a lifeline thanks to a hilarious piece of play from Fluminese goalkeeper Ricardo Berna, who was caught in two minds about whether to catch or punch away a long-range effort from Rorigo Rojas and ended up so confused that he simply fumbled the ball into his own net.

1-0 (and thus down 3-2 on aggregate) still wasn’t good enough for Libertad - they needed another goal, and fast. Cue more chances and more penalty claims turned down by referee Roberto Silvera, who didn’t have his best day. With the ridiculous amount of pressure Libertad were applying, surely they’d have to score before it was too late, right? The breakthrough came in the 85th minute after a clear handball in the box was ignored by Silvera but took a fortunate touch and fell onto the right boot of Miguel Samudio, lurking with intent at the edge of the area. It was the epitome of hit and hope, but the shot ended up being a bulleted finish into the corner of the net.

Samudio (as did the entire stadium, to be fair) stared in shock and bewilderment before he wheeled away in glee. Libertad had drawn even with Fluminese on aggregate and led on the away goals rule with just five minutes left to play. But they weren’t home and dry - if their guests managed to score, they’d be out. They got their assurance in injury time, first when Jose Nunez slotted home an excellent cross from the right and then Fluminese defender Mariano was shown a straight red for a brutal tackle on Nunez as retribution. That would prove to be the last action of the match, and Libertad, astonishingly, were through.