First Leg: Late Drama at Ciudad de Lanús
On September 16, 2025, the atmosphere inside the Ciudad de Lanús stadium was electric. Over 35,000 Argentine supporters filled the stands, hoping their side could outplay the Brazilian heavyweight, Fluminense. The match unfolded as a tactical chess game, with both coaches opting for balanced formations that limited space in the final third.
Fluminense, under Renato Gaucho, tried to assert possession early, but Lanús’s compact midfield disrupted any rhythm. The Argentine club fielded a mix of seasoned veterans and eager youngsters, a necessity after injuries sidelined five regular starters. Despite the depleted roster, Lanús stayed organized, pressing high and forcing Fluminense into long‑range attempts that rarely troubled goalkeeper Matheus Viana.
The deadlock persisted until the 89th minute when Marcelino Moreno, who had entered as a substitute, seized a loose ball on the edge of the box. A swift turn and a low drive past Viana left the net rippling. The stadium erupted, and the late goal turned a potential draw into a 1‑0 victory, giving Lanús a crucial cushion heading to the second leg.
Second Leg: A Home Triumph That Wasn't Enough
A week later, the iconic Maracanã hosted the return fixture. The Brazilian crowd expected a comeback, especially after Fluminense’s recent domestic form had been solid. Renato Gaucho made a bold tweak, pushing Lucho Acosta deeper to supply creative passes while instructing the defensive line to press higher than in the first game.
The move paid off early. In the 21st minute, Acosta threaded a precise through‑ball to Agustín Canobbio, who slotted it past Lanús keeper Sebastián Torrens. The stadium roared, and the 1‑0 scoreline put Fluminense level on aggregate. Yet, the lead was precarious; the away‑goals rule meant Lanús needed only a single goal to advance.
Lack of urgency in the Brazilian half became apparent as the game progressed. Lanús, aware of the rule, adopted a disciplined, counter‑attacking stance. Their midfield, still missing key players, relied on the experience of veteran Juan Surraco to maintain shape and recycle possession efficiently.
Both sides exchanged chances in the second half, but sturdy defending and a few crucial saves kept the scoreline unchanged. When the final whistle blew, the aggregate stood at 1‑1, but Lanús advanced thanks to the away goal advantage. The result was a bitter pill for Fluminense, whose fans had hoped the Maracanã would be a fortress.
For Lanús, the victory was a testament to resilience. Mauricio Pellegrino, the club’s manager, praised his squad’s mental strength, emphasizing that overcoming injury setbacks had forged a tighter unit. The Argentine side now looks forward to a semifinal clash, carrying the confidence of a hard‑won quarter‑final win.
Fluminense’s exit underlines the fine margins of continental competition. While the team showed quality, especially in the second leg, the late strike in Argentina proved decisive. The matchup will be remembered for its tension, tactical adjustments, and the way an away goal can tip the balance in South America’s premier club tournament.
Jordyn Wade
The first leg in Lanús showcased a tactical battle where both managers prioritized shape over flair. Fluminense entered the stadium with an ambition to dominate possession yet found the Argentine midfield a wall that absorbed pressure. The compactness of Lanús midfield forced the Brazilian side to play long balls that rarely troubled the keeper. Injuries had thinned the squad but the Argentine club responded with a collective discipline that made space hard to find. The game remained deadlocked deep into the night as each team traded midfield duels without a clear breakthrough. It was only in the dying minutes that a substitute entered the fray and changed the complexion of the encounter. Marcelino Moreno collected a loose ball on the edge of the box and turned it with a swift movement that caught the defense off guard. His low drive beat Matheus Viana and the net rippled, giving Lanús a lead that sent the crowd into pandemonium. The timing of the goal left Fluminense with barely any moments to respond before the final whistle. The psychological impact of conceding so late cannot be overstated as it shifted the momentum of the whole tie. In the second leg the Brazilian side returned to the Maracanã determined to overturn the deficit. Renato Gaucho made a bold tactical shift that saw Lucho Acosta drop deeper to become a creative conduit. That adjustment paid dividends early when a through ball unlocked the defense and Agustín Canobbio finished calmly. The goal leveled the aggregate but the away‑goal rule meant the tie hung in a delicate balance. Ultimately Lanús held on with disciplined defending and a single counterattack that reminded everyone that in South American knockout football the margin between joy and heartbreak is razor thin.
Zoe Birnbaum
What a nail‑biter that was! 🚀
Neha xo
The aggregate score looked even for a moment but the away‑goal rule always adds that extra layer of tension. Lanús' experience in tight games gave them the composure to sit back and strike when needed. Fluminense showed flashes of brilliance especially with Acosta’s vision in the second leg. Still the missed chances in the second half left the Brazilian fans with a lingering sense of ‘what could have been’.
Rahul Jha
Yo the game was lit 😎⚽️ Lanús defended like a wall 🧱 and Fluminense kept pushing forward 🏃♂️💨 the away goal rule is cruel 😤 but that’s football 😂
Gauri Sheth
Honestly i cant believe the fans are still celebrating like they won the whole tournament it’s just a quarterfinal loss and yet everyone acts like it’s a tragedy for the whole country i mean sure fluminense is a big club but letting a single away goal decide the fate feels unfair and kinda shows how much pressure we put on these players they deserve respect not constant drama also the commentators keep using the word ‘miracle’ when it’s just a tactical win by lanús stop glorifying every win as if it changes the world
om biswas
What a bunch of whiners this is! You act like the Brazilian style of play is the only thing that matters while an Argentine side shows real grit and discipline. Stop pretending that every loss is a moral crisis and grow up. If you can’t handle a legitimate away‑goal then maybe you shouldn’t be cheering so loudly. This is football not a political statement and anyone who can’t accept that is just delusional.