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

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.