Fluminense lost the opportunity to play in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, as it was surpassed by Olimpia (Paraguay) in the penalty shootout, on the night of this Wednesday (16) at the Defensores del Chaco stadium, in Asunción (Paraguay). With this, the Laranjeiras team will have to be content with participating in the Copa Sudamericana.
??? Perfect on penalties! So the @elClubOlimpia eliminated the #Fluminense and guaranteed a spot in the CONMEBOL Group Stage #Liberators 2022 pic.twitter.com/FywREIYn2I
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) March 17, 2022
As they won the first leg of the third preliminary stage of the continental competition by 3 to 1, Tricolor reached the confrontation on Paraguayan soil with a considerable advantage, being able to qualify directly even with a defeat by a goal difference. Olimpia had to at least win by at least two goals difference to dispute the classification on penalties. And that’s what the home team did.
Pushed by their passionate fans, Olimpia took control of the match in the first half. The only clear opportunity for Fluminense in the stage was a shot by Germán Cano, who stopped in defense of Olveira. The Paraguayans were more effective, and opened the scoring in the 35th minute with Recalde, after the ball was supported by Silva.
In the final stage, the scenario changed little, and the pressure from the Paraguayans increased too much, until, in the 43rd minute, Paiva scored to take the dispute to penalties.
Clearly showing to be shaken, the Tricolor was very bad, and saw Olveira defend the charges of Willian and Felipe Melo, while André kicked hard to score the goal of honor. Olimpia was perfect, with goals from Quintana, Camacho, Ortiz and Derlis González.
With the disqualification of Libertadores, Fluminense now disputes the South American, joining the Brazilians Atlético-GO, Ceará, Cuiabá, Santos, Internacional and São Paulo.
? The @FluminenseFC will compete in the CONMEBOL Group Stage #South American 2022
? The team got the spot after playing in the Preliminary Phases of CONMEBOL #Liberators.#GreatConquest pic.twitter.com/8wcXo4xY7k
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@SudamericanaBR) March 17, 2022
