Brazil’s Fluminense beat local rivals Internacional 2-1 with two goals in six minutes to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores and seek its first title in the tournament. The first leg between the two teams ended 2-2 last week at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where the final will be played on Nov. 4. Fluminense’s rival will be known on Thursday when Argentina’s Boca Juniors and Brazil’s Palmeiras face off in Sao Paulo. The first leg ended goalless in Buenos Aires last week.
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
The first leg between the two teams ended 2-2 last week at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where the final will be played on Nov. 4. Fluminense’s rival will be known on Thursday when Argentina’s Boca Juniors and Brazil’s Palmeiras face off in Sao Paulo. The first leg ended goalless in Buenos Aires last week.
Internacional opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a header by Gabriel Mercado. Fluminense kept the pressure through the second half, but offered the hosts several counter-attacks that could have ended its hopes of playing the decider if striker Enner Valencia had been more accurate in two finishes.
“People outside didn’t believe us, but we did,” said former Real Madrid defender Marcelo, back at his boyhood club since February. “This is a team of warriors.”