The champion does not go beyond a draw in Venezuela
Fluminense arrived in Caracas with the Libertadores champion crown. But he left empty-handed. Deportivo La Guaira stood up to them and took a valuable point from them (0-0).
The Brazilian team dominated, that is undeniable. He controlled the ball, created chances… but he found himself with a goalkeeper in a state of grace. Cristopher Varela was simply impressive.
Seven saves. Seven. That was the magic number for the Venezuelan goalkeeper, who recently debuted with Vinotinto.
He closed the door on Jhon Kennedy before the break. And he stole the goal from Matheus Martinelli in the final minutes. It was the difference between a Brazilian victory and this draw that tastes like a victory for La Guaira.
The history of Group C had another chapter. While this was happening in Caracas, a dream page was being written in Mendoza.
Independiente Rivadavia, absolute debutant in international cups, beat Bolívar 1-0. A goal against goalkeeper Carlos Lampe one minute into the game gave them the three points. The Bolivians ended up with one less due to expulsion.
The liberating night continued with more duels: Barcelona vs Cruzeiro, Always Ready vs Liga de Quito, Universidad Católica vs Boca Juniors and Tolima vs Universitario.
But in Venezuela, the headline was only one: Varela. The man who said ‘no’ to the champion.
