In a thrilling encounter at the iconic Estádio Maracanã, Fluminense emerged victorious against Red Bull Bragantino with a score of 2-1 on Sunday, April 6, 2025. This match, part of the second round of the Brasileirão, marked the return of renowned coach Renato Gaúcho, who began his seventh tenure with the club. The atmosphere was electric as fans eagerly anticipated the team's performance following a disappointing start to the season.
The match kicked off at 16:00 (Brasília time), and it didn't take long for Fluminense to assert their dominance. Lima opened the scoring in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a rebound from a shot by Canobbio. He skillfully dribbled past goalkeeper Cleiton to slot the ball into the net, igniting celebrations among the home supporters.
As the second half unfolded, the momentum shifted. Fluminense seemed to ease off the gas, allowing Bragantino to gain confidence. The visitors equalized in the 38th minute of the second half when Isidro Pitta took advantage of a defensive error by Fluminense's goalkeeper, Fábio. Pitta's header found the back of the net, sending a wave of disappointment through the Maracanã crowd.
However, Fluminense's resilience shone through in the dying moments of the match. In stoppage time, Martinelli scored the decisive goal, pouncing on a rebound after Cleiton failed to secure a shot from Thiago Silva. With this crucial goal, Fluminense secured their first win of the 2025 season, following a loss to Fortaleza in their opening match.
Post-match, Renato Gaúcho expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. "It was a hard-fought victory, and I’m proud of how the players responded, especially after conceding the equalizer. We showed great character to come back and win in the end," he stated. The return of Paulo Henrique Ganso was another highlight of the match, as he made his first appearance of the year after recovering from a cardiac issue. His presence on the pitch was met with warm applause from fans.
With this victory, Fluminense temporarily climbed to seventh place in the league standings, now with four points from two matches. In contrast, Bragantino, who started their season with a draw against Ceará, faced their first defeat and found themselves in a precarious position, potentially facing relegation if their form does not improve.
The next fixtures for Fluminense include a CONMEBOL Sul-Americana match against GV San José on April 10, followed by a league clash with Santos on April 13. Bragantino will look to bounce back against Botafogo on April 12 and Sport on April 16 as they seek to regain their footing in the league.
As the Brasileirão progresses, both teams will need to capitalize on their upcoming matches to secure their respective ambitions for the season. Fluminense aims to build on this momentum, while Bragantino must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the table.
