Fluminense vs Bolivar

Fluminense edged past Bolívar 2–1 at the Maracanã in a scrappy but pivotal Copa Libertadores group clash, with John Kennedy's second-half strike proving the decisive blow. Luciano Acosta set the tone by firing the hosts ahead inside five minutes. Bolívar hit back through Carlos Melgar in the 23rd minute, converting a neat Dorny Romero assist to level things up. But Fluminense reclaimed the lead on 70 minutes when Kennedy finished off a Yeferson Soteldo lay-off to settle the contest. The match was feisty throughout, the hosts collected five yellow cards to Bolívar's two, though no one saw red. The win was a genuine lifeline for Fluminense, who had scraped together just two points from their previous four group games and sat bottom of Group C. Bolívar remain in contention with five points on the board but will rue a missed chance to consolidate their qualifying position.