Fluminense defeated Bahia 2-0 at Maracanã, overturning the first-leg loss to advance to the Copa do Brasil semifinals. Canobbio scored from the penalty spot, but captain Thiago Silva sealed the victory with a decisive late goal, keeping alive his dream of lifting one last title with the Tricolour.
Another special night at Maracanã. Fluminense lived up to their cup spirit yesterday, coming from behind to defeat Bahia 2-0—the first leg ended 1-0 for the Bahian team—and advance to the Copa do Brasil semifinals. In front of nearly 50,000 Tricolor fans, Renato Gaúcho’s team failed to score in the first half, but their ambition spoke louder after the break. With a penalty kick and an assist, Canobbio had all the makings of a hero, but idol and captain Thiago Silva took center stage with a late goal that secured a more than deserved qualification.
“Today I told them at the start of the game that, regardless of what happens during the 90 minutes, give everything you’ve got. But I didn’t know it would be this way, so beautiful for me, with the colors of Fluminense. Deep down, I don’t want to stop here. I want to reach December and celebrate a title, because I practically know it will be the last of my career,” said Thiago Silva, leaving the field.
Pressure from the Start
Behind on aggregate and playing at home, Fluminense had only one option: to press their opponent from the opening whistle. And they succeeded, but not in the way they would have liked. Thiago nearly opened the scoring after a perfect cross from Guga, who had made his 100th appearance for the Tricolor and had replaced Samuel Xavier, who was out with a left hamstring injury.
Facing a Bahia side cornered in defense, Renato Gaúcho’s team had over 70% possession in the first half, but at the same time, the first shot on goal fell to Nonato in the 35th minute. Despite being able to occupy the attacking half, the Tricolor from Rio struggled to break down the opposing defense and often resorted to crosses from the wings.
Aware of the team’s struggle to be more incisive up front, Renato dismantled the defensive midfield trio by taking off Nonato at halftime and bringing on Lucho Acosta, known for his creative playmaking. With Serna largely absent on the left wing in the first half, another change was switching the Colombian with Canobbio, who would score a penalty in the 9th minute of the second half, after Renê’s cross hit Michel Araújo’s left arm.
It was Acosta who delivered the pass to the left-back, changing the attacking dynamic with quality touches and runs into midfield. While Fluminense missed a number 10 in the first 45 minutes, the Argentine, who has only been at the club for about a month, is already showing signs that he could be useful for the rest of the season and, who knows, take over as a starter.
In the wake of the opening score, Fluminense was rewarded for maintaining its attacking approach. And there was no better player to seal the victory. With another memorable performance under his belt, Thiago Silva headed in with style after Canobbio’s cross from a free kick.
“That ball was practiced. I even developed a stiff neck from practicing so much. I even told Guga just now: ‘My neck didn’t hurt for nothing,'” joked the defender.
On the other side, Jean Lucas’s Bahia, who played the entire match despite playing the day before yesterday at high altitude in Bolivia with the Brazilian national team, left much to be desired both offensively and defensively.
Next stage in December
Now a semifinalist in the Club World Cup and the Copa do Brasil, Fluminense returns to action on Saturday, at home, at 9 pm, against Corinthians in the Brasileirão. In the knockout tournament, the semifinals will not be played until December 10th and 14th, a Wednesday and a Sunday, respectively. Canobbio is suspended for the first game.
