Brazilian club Fluminense advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 Copa Libertadores on Tuesday, losing 2-1 to Argentina's Platense in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie but progressing 3-2 on aggregate after a goal from Uruguayan forward Agustin Canobbio.
Fluminense had won the first leg 2-0, giving them a cushion that held up even after Platense dominated for long stretches of the return match at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente Lopez in Buenos Aires, pressing hard on the Brazilian side's midfield from the opening whistle.
Platense takes early control
Platense, nicknamed the Calamar, broke through in the 30th minute when Guido Mainero converted from a rebound to make it 1-0. Fluminense struggled to keep possession and were repeatedly overrun by Platense's attacking full backs.
Just before halftime, a cross from Mainero found the head of Bruno Sepulveda, who made it 2-0 and sent the home crowd, known as the Marron, into a frenzy as they began to believe in a comeback in the tie.
Canobbio turns the tie
The second half opened in similar fashion, but Fluminense's more experienced players, Hulk and Ganso among them, began to find their rhythm after only flashing in patches earlier in the match.
In the 57th minute, Canobbio picked up the ball on the left side of the area near goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani, cut inside and dribbled past several Platense defenders before finishing into the far corner, silencing the stadium.
Platense coach Martin Palermo responded by sending on attackers Juan Gauto and Franco Zapiola, but the hosts' attack grew more erratic, and space at the back was exploited by substitute Kevin Serna's pace.
Fabio seals the win
Late in the match, 46-year-old Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio made a double save on the goal line to preserve the aggregate lead and confirm his side's place in the semifinals.
The Copa Libertadores is South America's leading club competition, and Fluminense won the title in 2023. Despite an inconsistent run in this year's Brazilian Championship, the club is now putting its full focus on the Libertadores in pursuit of another title.
For Platense, the elimination closes out what the club considers a historic first participation in the Copa Libertadores, even though supporters cheered the team off the pitch. The result leaves Platense far from qualifying for South America's international club competitions in 2027.
What comes next
Fluminense now awaits the winner of the tie between Ecuador's Liga de Quito and Brazil's Palmeiras to find out their opponent in the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
