Lanús Secures Semifinal Spot in Copa Sudamericana After 1-1 Draw at Maracanã

24 Sep

by Chantelle Poirier 10 Comments

Match Overview

On a humid evening at the historic Estádio do Maracanã, Lanús and Fluminense clashed in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarter‑finals. The Argentine club entered the match with a 1‑0 advantage from the first leg, but the Brazilian side, led by coach Renato Gaúcho, needed at least two goals to stay alive. Fluminense started aggressively, pressing high and forcing Lanús into a defensive shape.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when the ball swung to the right flank, where Kevin Serna delivered a low cross. Luciano Acosta, spotting the forward run, flicked a header toward the penalty area. Uruguayan forward Agustín Canobbio volleyed the ensuing ball with a spectacular bicycle kick, beating the Lanús keeper and igniting the Maracanã crowd.

Fluminense continued to dominate the midfield, rattling the post twice in the first half and creating several half‑chances. Yet each attempt was met by a disciplined Lanús defense, organized by manager Mauricio Pellegrino. The Argentine side absorbed pressure, waiting for the right moment to counter‑attack.

The dead‑lock was broken in the 67th minute. Lanús substituted Dylan Aquino, a versatile midfielder known for his late runs into the box. He timed a lofted pass from the left, slipped past the Fluminense back line, and slotted the ball home, restoring the aggregate lead to 2‑1. The goal forced Fluminense to chase three goals in the remaining minutes.

Implications and Next Steps

After the equaliser, Renato Gaúcho threw on an attacking trio—John Kennedy, Otávio, and Germán Cano—hoping to spark a comeback. Despite the influx of fresh legs, Fluminense could not breach the Lanús wall. The Brazilian side’s frustration was evident as they struck the woodwork again, but the Argentine club held firm, with Keno adding aerial presence in the final ten minutes.

The result marks a milestone for Lanús, who have rarely progressed this deep in South America’s secondary club competition. Their tactical patience, compact defending, and opportunistic finishing contrast sharply with the flamboyant, high‑press style of Fluminense. Advancing to the semifinals sets up a potential showdown with one of the continent’s heavyweight clubs, depending on the other quarter‑final outcomes.

For Fluminense, the exit is a bitter pill. Their loss highlights a lingering issue: converting possession into goals under pressure. The Maracanã crowd witnessed a solid performance that nevertheless fell short of the required margin. Their upcoming domestic fixtures will be crucial for regrouping and addressing the finishing woes exposed in Rio.

Lanús now turns its focus to preparing for the semifinal stage, where they will need to balance defensive solidity with the attacking spark displayed by Canobbio and Aquino. The team’s recent run has energized Argentine fans, who see an underdog story unfolding on a continental stage.

Tags: Lanús Fluminense Copa Sudamericana Maracanã

Chantelle Poirier

I am a seasoned journalist based in Durban, specializing in daily news coverage. My passion is to shed light on local news events and global trends. I strive to bring unbiased and factual reporting to my readers. Each story I write is crafted with meticulous attention to detail to ensure clarity and impact. Journalism is not just my job; it's a way to connect with the world.

10 Comments

Elizabeth Bennett

Lanús showed impressive tactical discipline, especially after taking the lead early in the second leg. Their compact defending made it hard for Fluminense to find space, and the counter‑attack from Aquino was a textbook example of timing. The Argentine side’s ability to absorb pressure while staying dangerous on the break is commendable.
Fans should give credit where it’s due – this performance could well signal a deeper run.

linda menuhin

i cant help but think the game was like a swirling dance of shadows and light, ya know? the bikesick kick by canobbio was pure art, even if my brain felt a lil fuzzy after. lol, love how the underdogs keep popping up!

Jeff Abbott

Honestly, Lanús’ patience borders on laziness; they just sat back and hope the other team runs out of steam. It’s a boring strategy but somehow it worked, lucky for them.

Quinton Merrill

That bike‑kick was insane 😂! i wish i could have seen it live, the vibe at maracanã must've been wild. tho if they keep pushing like that they’ll surprise everyone 💪.

Linda Lawton

Everything you see on the pitch is just a cover for the deep‑state manipulation of South American football. The way Fluminense collapsed after the first goal isn’t about tactics – it’s about the hidden agenda to keep Argentine clubs from dominating. The media conveniently praises Lanús while ignoring the puppet‑masters pulling the strings behind the scenes. Don’t be fooled by the glossy headlines; there’s a conspiracy to maintain the status quo. Remember, the higher powers love to pit nations against each other for their own profit. Wake up, people, before they script the next final.

Ashley Bradley

While the passion surrounding this match is palpable, it is essential to step back and contemplate the broader philosophical implications of competition itself. In the arena of sport, each team becomes a microcosm of society, reflecting the tensions between order and chaos, discipline and spontaneity. Lanús, by adhering to a methodical defensive framework, exemplifies the Stoic virtue of self‑control, allowing the moment of opportunity to arise naturally. Conversely, Fluminense’s aggressive high‑press mirrors the existential desire to impose one’s will upon an indifferent universe. The bicycle kick executed by Canobbio can be seen as an artistic flourish, a fleeting eruption of creativity that transcends the mechanical nature of the game. Yet such moments are fleeting, reminding us of the impermanence of glory and the inevitability of change. The substitution of Aquino illustrates the strategic use of timing, akin to a philosopher choosing the precise instant to interject in a dialogue. One might argue that the match serves as an allegory for the human condition, where individuals must balance patience with action. The crowd’s reaction, a chorus of collective emotion, demonstrates how communal narratives are constructed in real time. Moreover, the tactical patience displayed by Lanús underscores the importance of resilience in the face of overwhelming pressure, a lesson applicable beyond sport. The failure of Fluminense to convert possession into goals highlights the disparity between intention and execution, a gap often observed in political and social endeavors. The role of the manager, Pellegrino, becomes that of a sage guide, directing his followers towards a shared objective while maintaining harmony. The final whistle, a symbolic punctuation mark, concludes a chapter yet opens the door to future possibilities. As observers, we are invited to reflect on our own strategies in life, questioning whether we are more like Lanús, waiting for the right moment, or like Fluminense, constantly striving yet often falling short. Ultimately, the beauty of such contests lies not merely in the result but in the rich tapestry of meaning we weave around them.

Joe Delaney

Nice win for Lanús.

Ruben Vilas Boas

Totally agree, that tidy defense paid off big time. Keep supporting the underdogs!

George Thomas

The match provided a vivid illustration of tactical variance within South American competitions. Lanús’ disciplined structure contrasted sharply with Fluminense’s high‑pressing approach, offering spectators a study in contrasting football philosophies. While the Argentine side advanced, the Brazilian club will need to reassess their conversion efficiency in upcoming fixtures.

Michelle Linscomb

Listen, the aggression on the field was justified – Lanús earned every bit of that victory and anyone doubting it is missing the point. Open dialogue about strategy is fine, but don’t downplay the sheer will that drove them forward.