Fluminense performs its best performance of the year in the match against Sao Paulo, starts with Zubeldia and secures a place in the Libertadores

Tricolor fans had plenty of reasons to smile yesterday at the Maracanã. Not even the fact of Sao Paulo’s consecutive absences was enough to justify the massacre carried out by Fluminense, which recorded a resounding 6-0 defeat, the largest in the history of the match. With a 100% home team under Luis Zubeldia, the team secured a place in the pre-Libertadores qualifiers – this will be the club’s fifth participation in the continental competition in the past six years. In fifth place with 58 points, Flo seeks direct classification for the group stage in the final rounds.

Flu is given a gift at the beginning of the game. On a cross from Samuel Xavier, the ball hit the hand of defender Alain Franco. Referee Lucas Paolo Torzin (PR) analyzed the action in VAR and awarded the penalty kick. When he shot the ball, Canobbio hit the middle with force and opened the scoring. The Uruguayan has not been able to score since his exit at the hands of Lanus in the South American Championship at the end of September.

Canopio opens the scoring with a goal from a penalty kick in the Fluminense x Sao Paulo match – Photo: Lucas Merson / Fluminense

Without using the handbrake after the first goal, the Rio Tricolor took advantage of another Sao Paulo error. After Pablo Maia missed an easy pass, the ball fell to Everaldo to begin the counterattack. Cannobio released Samuel Xavier, who found the centre-forward. Everaldo headed over the Ferrari and Martinelli scored the ball. The midfielder, created by Zerem, contributed the most goals in his career in the season – six goals and three assists.

Facing a stunned Sao Paulo, Fluminense did not slow down. On the contrary, he continued to be present in the attack. After Hercules left in pain, Nonato needed just a minute on the field to expand. The midfielder easily passed the opponent and shot between goalkeeper Young’s legs.

Even with the triple advantage, Zubeldia’s team still wasted clear chances before the end of the first half. After a match with Everaldo, Canobbio passed the ball directly to Serna to be completely free and finish over the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, it was the Uruguayan’s turn to put pressure on Alan Franco, keep the ball and hit the crossbar.

Proof of Flu’s massive superiority is that Fabio made his first save of the match just 41 minutes into the first half.

If anyone thinks that Fluminense will be satisfied with the result after the break, they are wrong. At the age of 15, Zubeldia saved Thiago Silva and eliminated Everaldo’s booing. Ignacio and John Kennedy came up with the task of keeping the team density high.

John Kennedy scores the fourth goal in Fluminense's historic win over Sao Paulo – Photograph: Lucas Merson/Fluminense — John Kennedy scores the fourth goal in Fluminense’s historic win over Sao Paulo – Photograph: Lucas Merson/Fluminense

Stringing together dangerous moves, JK received it from Serna, curled in a cross and scored again in the tri-colour, ending a ten-game drought – the last goal coming in a 2-2 draw with Sport, on 1 October.

It didn’t stop there. In a modest move in defence, Cannobio showed why he is one of the team’s key players this season. The Uruguayan stole the ball and was rewarded for his marking efforts. With Sao Paulo’s defense in disarray, Nonato fired a shot straight at the No. 17 to run down the right wing and cross to make the scoreline more fluid. The striker will miss Gremio’s match in Porto Alegre after receiving a third yellow card. We’ll see who Zubeldia chooses to replace him.

There was still time for Gansu to return to play for Team Flow, much to the ecstasy of the fans. After recovering from a left calf injury, the No.10 has been out of action since the 1-0 defeat to Corinthians on September 13. To end the match at the Maracanã once and for all, Serna received a pass from Sotildo and scored the sixth goal.