Completed The highest club competition in South America, the Copa Libertadores, concluded on November 4th with Marcelo and Fluminense defeating Boca Juniors 2-1.

Marcelo had the game’s first start in Fluminense’s home venue, Maracana venue. German Cano struck in the 36th minute on a low cross from Keno to open the score. For the Brazilian team, the 35-year-old Argentine striker netted his 82nd goal in 126 games.

Boca Juniors reclaimed the game after the intermission. Right back Luis Advincula crossed the middle in the 72nd minute and kicked with his left foot from 20 meters out to tie the score for the Argentine team. Before the game entered overtime, Marcelo departed the field in the eighty-first minute.

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Marcelo lifted the Copa Libertadores, after the final match Fluminense won 2-1 against Boca Juniors on the evening of November 4 at Maracana Stadium, Brazil. Photo: AFP

The game-winning goal came from Fluminense in the 99th minute. John Kenedy volleyed the ball into Boca Juniors’ net from 16 meters out following Keno’s header. John Kennedy was given another yellow card right away. Fluminense maintained the 2-1 advantage, though. At minute 105+7, Frank Fabra, a defender for Boca Juniors, was directly sent off.

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The Copa Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious club-level Cup, was won by Fluminense for the first time. Marcelo also made history by being the 15th player to win the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League. The 35-year-old left-back had five Champions League victories with Real Madrid before to that.

Marcelo has been playing for Fluminense since February after returning to Brazil. He left Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, however he only played for Olympiacos (Greece) for the first half of the 2022–2023 season.

Fluminense advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 semifinals after winning the Copa Libertadores. On December 12, the local team Al Ittihad will play the Oceania champion Auckland City in the qualifying match. On December 15, the winner of this matchup will play African champions Al Ahly in the quarterfinals. On December 18, the quarterfinal winner will play Fluminense.

Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds will take on CONCACAF champions Club Leon in the other bracket. The victor of these two matches will play Man City in the semifinals. On December 22, the FIFA Club World Cup championship match will conclude.