During a trip to Brazil, El Bicho did not manage to secure a ticket for the next round and was eliminated after a 2-0 defeat.
Argentinian juniors faced each other with parity at the Maracana Seen Fluminense, but as the match wore on the standings tilted unfavorably for Argentinos Juniors. In the return leg of the 2023 Libertadores Cup Round of 16, the team fell 2-0 to the Brazilians, ending their campaign in the tournament.
As in the first leg, which had finished 1-1 at La Paternal, the match remained balanced for long stretches, with Gabriel Milito getting the rival under control for much of the game. There were few clear risk situations, and the best chances belonged to the visitors. But in the closing moments everything changed.
At 86 minutes, Samuel Xavier, the same player who had scored against Diego Armando Maradona, delivered a precise corner kick that Miguel Acosta — a young, rookie third goalkeeper who had to start — could not stop. Later, with Argentinos Juniors pushing forward in search of a goal, John Kennedy sealed the result at 98 minutes.
Thus, the path in Libertadores ended for El Bicho, and attention shifts to the start of the Professional League Cup. Fluminense, meanwhile, waits to learn the winner of Flamengo versus Olimpia.
Libertadores 2023: schedule, ads, and kickoff times
coverage from Goal summarizes the action.
FLUMINENSE – ARGENTINES JRS, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- The minute-by-minute account of the game between Fluminense and the Bug.
- Fluminense closes out the series.
- Gabriel Milito receives a red card.
- Goals by Fluminense.
- Rivalry among fans of Fluminense and Argentinos.
- El Bicho appeals for a red card following a tackle from André.
- Amid a tightly fought draw, Acosta controlled the clearest chances for Argentinos.
- Late changes: Miguel Acosta, the third goalkeeper, starts for Argentinos Juniors.
- Welcome to another GOAL broadcast. Fluminense will face Argentinos Jrs in the second leg of the 2023 Copa Libertadores Round of 16 at Maracanã Stadium.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between the Flu and the Bug was broadcast in Argentina and Chile on FOX Sports, in Colombia on ESPN, and in the United States via Being sports coverage. Streaming options included Star+ for South America.
FORMATIONS
FLUMINENSE
Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo, Diogo Barbosa; Gans, Andre, Lima; John Arias, German Cano and Keno. DT: Fernando Diniz.
ARGENTINES JRS
Miguel Acosta; Pablo Minissale, Marco Di Cesare, Lucas Villalba; Javier Cabrera, Franco Moyano, Federico Redondo, Francisco González Metilli, Santiago Montiel; Santiago Montiel and Luciano Gondou. DT: Gabriel Milito.
Source: Goal