Match overview and what was at stake

When the clock struck 00:30 UTC on September 24, the Estádio do Maracanã was buzzing with Brazilian fans hoping to see Fluminense overturn a 1‑0 deficit from the first leg. The stakes were clear: a win would propel the Carioca club into the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana, while a draw would hand the Argentine side a ticket to the next round. The atmosphere was electric, but the game itself turned out to be a tight, tactical chess match rather than a goal‑fest.

Both managers stuck to a 4‑2‑3‑1 shape, a formation that offered defensive solidity while still allowing creative freedom in the attacking third. Fluminense’s Fabiano da Silva (known simply as Fábio) guarded the net, backed by a back‑four of Samuel Xavier, the veteran Thiago Silva, Juan Freytes and René. The double pivot in midfield featured Hercules and Martinelli, tasked with shielding the defence and feeding the three advanced midfielders: Agustín Canobbio, Luciano Acosta and Kevin Serna. Lone striker Everaldo was expected to stretch the Argentine defence and finish off any chances.

Lanús mirrored the same structure. Goalkeeper Nahuel Losada was flanked by Gonzalo Perez, Carlos Roberto Izquierdoz, Jose Maria Canale and Sasha Marcich. The midfield duo of Agustín Medina and Agustín Cardozo provided the engine room, while the attacking trio of Alexis Segovia, Marcelino Moreno and Eduardo Salvio supplied the creative spark for forward Rodrigo Castillo.

Key moments, line‑up tweaks and the final whistle

The first half saw Fluminense dominate possession, but it was the 20th minute that broke the deadlock. Canobbio slipped a perfectly timed pass to Acosta, who curled a shot past Losada for a 1‑0 lead. The crowd erupted, and the team seemed to gain a surge of belief that they could reverse the aggregate score.

Lanús, however, stayed compact. Their defensive midfielder Cardozo kept disrupting Fluminense’s rhythm, while Moreno made several runs down the left flank, forcing the Brazilian back‑line to stay wary. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Dylan Aquino, a late substitute, intercepted a loose ball at the edge of the box and smashed it home to level the tie.

After the equaliser, both coaches made tactical substitutions. Fluminense introduced German Cano and Yeferson Soteldo to try and add more pace, but the Argentine side’s defensive shape held firm. Lanús brought on Marcelino Moreno for extra width, and his crossing from the right almost resulted in a second goal in the dying minutes.

Injuries also played a part. Fluminense’s creative midfielder Ganso was sidelined, limiting their options in the final third. Lanús missed a few key players, including Felipe Pena Biafore and Ronaldo Dejesus, but their depth proved enough to survive the pressure at the Maracanã.

The match ended 1‑1, meaning Lanús progressed to the semifinals with a 2‑1 aggregate victory. For Fluminense, the night ended in heartbreak despite the home crowd’s support and a respectable performance. The Argentine side now looks ahead to a semifinal clash, while the Brazilian club will regroup and focus on domestic priorities.