Fluminense was not aware of Olimpia and beat the Paraguayan team again, this time away from home. In John Kennedy’s magical night, Tricolor triumphed 3-1 at Defensores del Chaco and advanced to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores with an expressive and indisputable 5-1 on aggregate. Germán Cano scored the other two goals for the Laranjeiras club in Asunción.
As mentioned, John Kennedy was the name of the game in Paraguay. The 21-year-old striker didn’t feel the pressure of the passionate, pulsating Olimpia fans and put the match in his pocket. In the 24th minute of the first half, the attacker was launched by Keno and, face to face with the goalkeeper, he corrected a strong shot, opening the scoring at Defensores del Chaco.
In the final stretch of the complementary stage, Urso, as he is affectionately called by Flu fans, swung over the Paraguayan marking in the area and finished cross. The shot exploded on the crossbar and, on the rebound, Germán Cano wasted no time. The goal sealed the victory and classification of the Laranjeiras club. On social networks, celebrations on the part of the tricolors and many praises and pledges of love to John Kennedy.
what i married cntg is a joke, i love you jk
— letícia (@lelefonseca06) September 1, 2023
IT’S THE BEAR TROOPS CRLLLLLL RELEASE THE MANMMMMMM
— duda (@dudaffc7) September 1, 2023
What plays JK is not written.
— Ary Sepulveda (@ASepulveda87) September 1, 2023
John Kennedy is very ace
— VT (@vtribeiro04) September 1, 2023
John Kennedy Numbers in 2023
Creates from Fluminense’s base categories, John Kennedy debuted in the club’s professionals in 2020. At the beginning of the current season, the striker was loaned to Ferroviária, where he stood out during the Campeonato Paulista. In state competition, he scored six goals in 11 games.
Back at Tricolor after a good performance in the São Paulo team, Kennedy became a kind of amulet and coach Fernando Diniz’s 12th player. There are already 25 matches played since he returned, with seven goals and three assists conceded.
Who will Fluminense face in the semifinal?
Guaranteed in the semifinal of the Copa Libertadores, Fluminense already knows who it will face in the event. This is Internacional, which last Tuesday (29) eliminated Bolívar. Boca Juniors and Palmeiras duel on the other side of the key.
Having made a better campaign in the group stage, Colorado will have the advantage of deciding the match against the tricolors at home. Conmebol will announce the dates and times of the home and away matches in the coming days. Until then, Fluminense remains focused on the Brazilian Championship.
Fluminense’s next matches
- Fluminense x Fortaleza – Brazilian Championship – Raulino de Oliveira Stadium – Sunday (3/9), at 4 pm (Brasília time);
- Vasco x Fluminense – Brazilian Championship – São Januário – Saturday (9/16), at 4 pm (Brasília time);
- Fluminense x Cruzeiro – Brazilian Championship – Maracanã – Wednesday (20/9), at 21:30 (Brasília time)