Maracanã Stadium

Recopa Sudamericana

Game 2

Fluminense x LDU

With Y/N leading the charge, they were ready to give it their all and leave everything on the field. Tonight, they weren't just playing for themselves or their club—they were playing for the fans, the legends who came before them, and the dream of redemption that had eluded them for far too long.

As they emerged from the tunnel, the roar of the crowd washing over them, they knew that they were ready to give it their all. With Y/N's words ringing in their ears, they set their sights on the prize and prepared to fight until the final whistle blew. Tonight, they were ready to make history

The sky above the Maracanã erupted in a dazzling display of color, as fireworks painted the night in hues of green, white, and garnet, the iconic colors of Fluminense. Each burst illuminated the stadium, casting a warm glow over the stands and bathing the pitch in a mesmerizing light

Watching the spectacle, Y/N and his teammates stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes fixed on the heavens above. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as they basked in the brilliance of the display, united in purpose and bound by a shared dream

Amidst the sea of jubilant fans, one figure stood out like a beacon of symbolism amidst the celebration. Clad in a V for Vendetta mask, his identity obscured by the iconic guise of rebellion and resistance, the lone figure conveyed a powerful message of triumph over adversity.

The V for Vendetta mask, inspired by the iconic graphic novel and film, had become synonymous with the spirit of defiance and rebellion against tyranny. And on this night for Fluminense, it meant only one thing...payback

André, the Central Defensive Midfielder and hyped prospect talks to Y/N about Sabrina as they were lining up for the National Anthem

André: Is the loirinha (little blonde) present here tonight?

André's question caught Y/N off guard, his focus momentarily shifting from the upcoming match to the unexpected topic of conversation.

Y/N: Uh...no, she's not. Why do you ask?

André just shrugs and prepares for the National Anthem

Fluminense's lineup boasts a blend of experience and youthful energy, strategically positioned with their familiar 4-3-3 formation. At the helm of the defense stands Fabio, a wall between the posts whose commanding presence instills confidence in his teammates. The defensive line is anchored by the seasoned duo of Felipe Melo and Thiago Santos, their robust defensive capabilities providing a formidable barrier against opposing attacks

On the right and left back positions, Samuel Xavier and Diogo Barbosa offer a potent combination of defensive solidity and attacking flair, surging forward to support the team's offensive endeavors while remaining vigilant in their defensive duties. In the heart of the midfield, André assumes the role of the central defensive midfielder

Alongside him, Ganso, the maestro, pulls the strings in midfield, dictating the tempo of play with his sublime passing and vision. Y/N, the versatile midfielder, epitomizes the team's tactical flexibility, seamlessly transitioning between offensive and defensive roles to provide support in all areas of the pitch

Keno and Jhon Arias showcase their dynamic attacking prowess, their ability to interchange positions adding an element of unpredictability to Fluminense's attacking play. Spearheading the attack is German Cano, hailed as el Rey de América, whose predatory instincts and clinical finishing make him a constant threat to opposition defenses

As the game progresses, Fluminense faces a resolute LDU defense, Fluminense finds themselves frustrated by their opponents' defensive strategy, as their attacks struggle to break through the packed defensive lines. Despite dominating possession and launching waves of attacks, they are unable to find the breakthrough they desperately need to overturn the deficit. 

Fluminense's frustration grows, but they refuse to relent in their pursuit of an equalizer. With the passionate support of their fans driving them forward, they throw everything they have into their attacking endeavors, determined to find a way past LDU's stubborn defense and keep their hopes of victory alive

In a pivotal moment, German Cano squandered a clear opportunity to score, an uncharacteristic miss that compounded Fluminense's frustrations

After halftime, Coach Diniz's then decides to bring on John Kennedy for Felipe Melo, signaling a bold change in tactics for Fluminense. With André dropping into a defensive role alongside Thiago Santos in central defense, Fluminense shifts to a more attacking-minded 4-2-4 formation with Y/N and Ganso in the midfield

Minute 65

Coach Diniz's decides to bring the big guns, introducing Marcelo, Douglas Costa, and Renato Augusto from the bench, motioning towards a more experienced and seasoned lineup. With their wealth of experience in international football and previous stints with the Brazilian national team, these players brought a level of maturity and composure that Fluminense needed to break through LDU's resilient defense

With Marcelo, Douglas Costa, and Renato Augusto, Fluminense's midfield dynamic shifted significantly. Without their maestro, Ganso, on the field, the team lacked a traditional playmaker, forcing Y/N to take on a dual role as both creator and defensive presence in midfield

Minute 75

Douglas Costa played a precise pass to Y/N, who had dropped deeper to receive the ball on the right wing. With his vision and awareness, Y/N spotted Jhon Arias making a run into the box and delivered a pinpoint cross into the danger area

Arias, having found space between the defenders, timed his leap perfectly and connected with Y/N's cross, directing a powerful header towards the corner of the net. The goalkeeper had no chance as the ball nestled into the back of the goal, igniting celebrations among the Fluminense players and fans.

It was a crucial goal for Fluminense, leveling the scoreline and reigniting their hopes of overturning the deficit in the Recopa Sudamericana final. With momentum on their side, they pushed forward in search of the second goal that would put them in the driving seat

Minute 88

In the 88th minute, Fluminense continued their relentless offensive pressure despite being a man down after John Kennedy's sending off. LDU struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage, as the Brazilian side maintained their composure and continued to push forward in search of a decisive goal.

As the clock ticked towards full time, Douglas Costa orchestrated a swift attacking move, driving forward with purpose before sliding a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Renato Augusto inside the penalty area. Renato Augusto, showing his experience and composure, attempted to control the ball and set himself up for a shot on goal.

However, before he could execute his move, an LDU defender lunged in recklessly, catching Renato Augusto on the ankle and bringing him down inside the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, awarding Fluminense a crucial penalty kick in the dying moments of the game

As Marcelo stood over the ball on the penalty spot, the LDU goalkeeper attempted to gain a psychological edge by engaging in some trash talk, trying to unsettle the Fluminense player and disrupt his focus. However, Marcelo remained unfazed, knowing that this was just a distraction tactic employed by the opposition.

In a moment of astute decision-making, Marcelo opted to pass up the opportunity to take the penalty himself, instead deferring to Jhon Arias, who had been in fine form throughout the match. It was a shrewd move by Marcelo, recognizing that Arias was better positioned to convert the spot-kick and potentially secure victory for Fluminense.

With Marcelo's clever gesture, the stage was set for Arias to step up and deliver a decisive blow to LDU's hopes

With a measured run-up, Arias struck the ball cleanly, sending it sailing towards the top corner of the net with precision and power. The goalkeeper dove in a desperate attempt to save it, but the sheer accuracy and velocity of Arias' shot left him with no chance

Minute 96

A wise man once said: "The game's in the refrigerator, the door's closed, the light's out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard and the jello's jiggling". Which represented the final moments of this game. Even though they needed a goal to at least take the game to overtime, LDU's attacks were innefective, proving once again their inability of playing outside their home, often reliant on Quito's altitude to give them the upper hand

With each clearance, each interception, Fluminense edged closer to victory, their resilience and determination shining through in the face of adversity. 

And then, finally, the referee blew the full-time whistle, signaling the end of the match and igniting scenes of unbridled joy and celebration among the Fluminense players and supporters

As Y/N scanned the jubilant crowd, his eyes fell upon a familiar figure in the stands. There, among the throngs of cheering fans, stood his father, Diego. The same Diego who had experienced the heartbreak of that fateful night in 2008, when a missed penalty had shattered the dreams of an entire club.

But now, as he watched his son celebrate on the pitch below, a wave of emotion washed over Diego. Gone was the weight of past disappointments, replaced instead by an overwhelming sense of pride and joy. For in that moment, he realized that his son had achieved what he himself never could...redemption

Diego watched as Fluminense lifted the trophy, the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. And as the cheers of the crowd echoed around them, he knew that this was more than just a victory, it was a legacy, passed down from one generation to the next

As Y/N stood there, amidst the celebration and the roar of the crowd, a sense of bittersweetness washed over him. Yes, he had achieved victory on this memorable night, bringing closure to a chapter of his career with Fluminense. But with that triumph came the realization that it marked the end of an era for him, the closing of one door and the opening of another. 

The prospect of joining Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world, filled him with a sense of pride and determination. He knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to test himself against the best and write a new chapter in his career

Y/N walked around the pitch, the cheers and chants of the fans washed over him like a tidal wave of emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he soaked in the adulation and gratitude from the supporters who had stood by him through thick and thin.

He raised his arms in acknowledgment, his heart overflowing with appreciation for the unwavering loyalty of the fans. Each shout of his name felt like a warm embrace, a reminder of the deep connection he shared with the Fluminense faithful

Hours later...

Y/N sat alone on the midfield of the Maracanã, the echoes of the match still reverberating in his mind, he couldn't help but feel a rush of nostalgia wash over him. This iconic stadium held a multitude of memories, each one etched into the very fabric of his being.

From the moment he stepped onto the pitch for his debut with the national squad, to the elation of winning an international title with the team that had catapulted him to stardom, every moment spent within these hallowed grounds had shaped him in profound ways

And now, as he reflected on the memories made and the battles fought within these walls, Y/N felt a sense of gratitude wash over him. Gratitude for the teammates who had become like family, for the fans whose unwavering support had fueled his passion, and for the game itself, which had given him purpose and direction

As he rose to his feet, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, Y/N knew that this was not goodbye, but rather...see you later. The memories made here would forever be a part of him, guiding him as he embarked on the next chapter of his journey, wherever it may lead