The millionaire journeyed to Brazil for a high-stakes clash with Fluzao, a confrontation that defined the region’s climactic chapters.
On his second visit to the country, River tasted a 4-1 defeat to Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro during the third matchday of Group D in the 2023 Libertadores Cup. In the storied Maracanã, two soccer giants collided, and the margin spoke volumes about the night’s dynamics.
Group D of the Copa Libertadores 2023: standings, results and schedule
The night’s standout came from German Cano. The 35-year-old Argentine, who had not featured in Brazil since 2011, converted a hat trick at 29, 53 and 86 minutes, seizing control of the ball and steering Fluzao toward a victory River Plate could not overturn in Rio.
The opening half offered a tightly contested tempo. Fluzao dictated play while the visitors held a compact shape, striking when opportunities appeared. Even as the Argentine striker opened the scoring, Lucas Beltrán answered with a well-worked finish after a sequence involving Nicolás De La Cruz.
The turning point arrived late. PH Ganso delivered a daring pass that pierced the defense, and Cano finished with clinical precision to hand Fluzao the lead. Leandro González Pírez then earned a second yellow card, leaving River a man down and the balance of the game tipping away. The hosts widened the gap with a goal from Junior Arias, making it 3-1 and sealing River’s fate.
There was time for two more strikes, further extending the deficit facing Núñez’s men. With the third date still to conclude, River sat in third place, four goals behind the leaders. The impending challenge loomed large: a voyage to Sporting Cristal in Peru, a match that carried the weight of a continental final in all but name and echoed the intensity of a national Super Classic back home.
VIDEOS, GOALS AND SUMMARY
- The striker German Cano controlled the ball for the three decisive goals.
- Fluminense Goal! The fifth arrived for Fluzao, and Arias added to his personal tally with a second strike.
- Fluminense Goal! A superb collective move and a hat-trick for Cano, who finally claimed the match ball.
- Fluminense Goal! Arias sealed the result for his side.
- River Goal! Leandro González Pírez saw red after a second yellow.
- Fluminense Goal! PH Ganso read the game perfectly and set up Cano for the finish.
- River Goal! Beltrán finished a DLC-fueled sequence to spark a late revival.
- Fluminense Goal! German Cano beat Armani to make it 1-0.
- Felipe Melo added intensity to the match.
- The first strike belonged to River.
- The team’s entrance to the heat of the match was intense.
- This is how River concluded their night at the Maracanã.
- The Flu XI lineup was on show
STATISTICS
Source: Goal [Goal].