John Kennedy, a 21-year-old striker, etched his name in football history by scoring the decisive goal on Saturday, leading Brazil’s Fluminense to its first-ever Copa Libertadores title against Argentina’s Boca Juniors.
The dramatic final unfolded at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with regular time ending in a 1-1 stalemate.
Kennedy, a substitute, made his mark in the 9th minute of overtime when he fired a powerful volley from the edge of the box into the left corner of Boca Juniors’ net, eluding goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Despite his pivotal goal, Kennedy was sent off with a second yellow card for celebrating with his family in the stands. Boca’s Frank Fabra also received a red card shortly thereafter, maintaining a sense of equilibrium between the two fatigued teams during extra time.
Reflecting on his historic goal, Kennedy stated, “It was the most important goal of my life. I came to hug my family in the stands after I scored the goal; he sent me off for that, but nothing else matters. We are the champions.”
Boca Juniors, a storied Argentine club, aimed for its seventh Copa Libertadores title but faced a momentary setback when Brazilian striker Germán Cano found the net in the 36th minute with a low cross from Keno. Cano, at 35 years old, had amassed an impressive 81 goals for Fluminense in 125 matches over the past two years.
Boca equalizes in the 72nd minute
However, Boca managed to equalize in the 72nd minute when Luis Advincula struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box. This goal rekindled Argentinian fans’ hopes of victory, with Romero’s penalty-saving skills raising expectations.
Eight minutes later, Kennedy seized the opportunity to make history. His extra-time goal was a result of Fluminense’s aggressive approach, as they sought to avoid a penalty shootout that could have favored Boca.
Kennedy’s journey to this pivotal moment had its share of challenges. Initially joining Fluminense in 2021, he struggled to secure a starting position and was loaned to a smaller club that was later relegated in the Sao Paulo state league. Kennedy returned to Fluminense only a few months ago.
Brazilian clubs have dominated the Copa Libertadores since 2019, with Flamengo and Palmeiras claiming previous titles. Boca Juniors, looking to match Independiente’s record of seven titles, made their first continental final appearance since 2018 when they lost to archrival River Plate, with the final held in Madrid due to fan violence in Buenos Aires.
Marcelo, a 35-year-old veteran who predominantly played as a left-back but often featured as a midfielder, played a pivotal role for Fluminense throughout the match. On the other hand, 19-year-old Argentine midfielder Valentín Barco, a creative hope for Boca, struggled to make an impact in the final.
Marcelo expresses emotions
Marcelo expressed his emotions, saying, “I had a debt to Fluminense. It was written, there’s nothing else to say. Many people criticized us, but today Fluminense is the Copa Libertadores champion. … Earlier I was crying, I was nervous, but now it is all about happiness.”
Fluminense’s journey to the final included victories over Argentinos Juniors, Paraguay’s Olimpia, and Brazilian counterparts Internacional, with a standout 5-1 win against River Plate in the group stage.
In contrast, Boca Juniors reached the final without securing a single victory in regular time. Romero played a crucial role in their success, particularly in matches against Uruguay’s Nacional, local rivals Racing, and the semi-finals against Brazil’s Palmeiras.
The Copa Libertadores final took place amidst a tense atmosphere in Rio, marked by clashes between fan clubs and an assertive police response since Thursday. Thousands of Argentines flocked to Rio, with some attempting to breach the Maracana Stadium, although they were unsuccessful.
Hotels in tourist areas like Copacabana and Ipanema were nearly fully booked ahead of the match. The security measures were discussed in a meeting between CONMEBOL, the South American soccer governing body, and relevant football associations and clubs. Rio’s military police deployed 2,200 officers for the event, ensuring security.
A fan zone was established on Copacabana Beach, and large screens were set up in the city center and at the Sambodrome, known for its carnival parades.
