Although he didn’t open the scoring at the Maracana, Enner Valencia caused Fluminense’s Samuel Xavier to be sent off and later – four minutes later – Internacional equalized through Hugo Mallo in a disputed play upheld by VAR. The decisive performance of the Ecuadorian striker from the team of Porto Alegre in this first leg of the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores 2023.

Fluminense took the lead in the 10th minute through Argentine Germán Can after a counterattack from Inter’s left side. He is the best scorer of this edition of the tournament.

Seconds before that, Valencia had a very clear chance with a very powerful shot inside the penalty area, but it wasn’t enough to score the first goal of the night in Rio.

Ten minutes later, there were extraordinary interventions by the Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergi Rochet. Everything changed at the Maracana as the end of the first half approached. 44th minute. Right back Samuel Xavier, previously cautioned with a yellow card in the 40th minute, comes at the wrong time in a dispute for the ball and gets on Valencia’s right foot.

With Fluminense down to 10 players, Inter were forced to look for an equalizer to score it a priori via Hugo Mallo. VAR was checking if the Spanish defender was offside, but the game was very fair and Vitao made it possible for the rival player with his foot. The score rises to 1-1 with the permission of the Argentinian assistant referee Daría Herrera.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw after goals from Alan Patrick and Albiceleste Cano.

The two clubs will have to decide one of the finalists of the Libertadores on October 4 in the second leg, in which, although the series is open and whoever wins by any score will advance, Inter will have the advantage of playing at home, the Beira Río Stadium in Porto Alegre. (D)