At the Maracanã, Fluminense claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory against Palmeiras this Saturday (15) in the 23rd round of the 2026 Brasileirão.

Highlights coming up shortly

Despite being in the top four, both teams faced pressure as they took the field due to their recent performances this season.

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The Tricolor Carioca welcomed back Marcão for his second debut as interim coach, following the dismissal of Argentine manager Luis Zubeldía.

The “new-manager effect” seemed to lift the hosts, as they started the match on the front foot.

However, it was Verdão that struck first, with captain and goal-scoring center-back Gustavo Gómez heading the ball in from a corner kick.

📸 Wagner Meier – 2026 Getty Images

Fluminense did not let the goal rattle them, although they did lose some early momentum.

Late in the first half, after a well-executed passing sequence, Canobbio sent in a cross from the right, allowing Hulk to head the ball past Carlos Miguel and level the score.

📸 Wagner Meier – 2026 Getty Images

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Fluminense returned from halftime displaying their best football since the World Cup, with quick passing that dismantled the São Paulo side.

However, following the substitutions of Hulk and Paulo Henrique Ganso, Palmeiras regained control of the game.

In a dramatic late-game turn, Verdão went ahead once more with a powerful shot from Maurício, who finished inside the box after Flaco López flicked a header to him.

Yet, Fluminense displayed resilience, equalizing just four minutes later when Kevin Serna capitalized on the rebound after Germán Cano’s header hit the post.

As stoppage time approached, Germán Cano underscored his status as a Tricolor idol by scoring the winning goal with a close-range header.

🤬 Anger and resentment

In recent games, Fluminense’s supporters expressed frustration towards then-coach Luis Zubeldía, general director Mário Bittencourt, and president Matheus Montenegro.

However, during the match against Palmeiras, the ire focused on John Arias, who opted to join Verdão after leaving Wolverhampton in England.

Every time the Colombian touched the ball, the entire Maracanã booed and berated the former fan favorite.

When he exited the field after being substituted in the second half, John Arias was met with chants of, “Olê olê olê olá, Judas, Judas!” by the Maracanã crowd.

😯 There was refereeing controversy too

Early in the second half, Fluminense players sought a penalty for an incident where the ball appeared to strike right-back Giay’s arm.

Referee Anderson Daronco did not call the foul, and VAR did not prompt an on-field review.

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🚦 How things stand

With this outcome, Palmeiras stays atop the league with 48 points but risks losing ground to Flamengo, who could close the gap to three points with two games in hand by the end of the round.

Meanwhile, Fluminense celebrated their first win in eight matches and remains in fourth place with 38 points.

At the Maracanã, Fluminense beat Palmeiras 3-2 this Saturday (15), in the 23rd round of the 2026 Brasileirão.

Highlights coming up shortly

Despite being in the top four, both teams took the field under pressure because of their recent results this season.

Advertisement

Tricolor Carioca also saw Marcão return for his second debut as interim coach, after Argentine manager Luis Zubeldía was dismissed.

And the “new-manager effect” did give the hosts a boost, as they started the match better.

But Verdão were the ones to open the scoring, with captain and goal-scoring center-back Gustavo Gómez heading in from a corner.

📸 Wagner Meier – 2026 Getty Images

Fluminense were not shaken by the goal, but they did lose their early momentum.

However, late in the first half, after a good passing move, Canobbio crossed from the right and Hulk headed past Carlos Miguel to make it all square.

📸 Wagner Meier – 2026 Getty Images

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The Laranjeiras Tricolor came back better after the break and produced their best football since the World Cup returned, with quick passing moves that pulled the São Paulo side apart.

But after Hulk and Paulo Henrique Ganso went off, Palmeiras started to feel comfortable on the pitch again.

In that scenario, late in the game, Verdão went back in front with a firm strike from Maurício, finishing inside the box after Flaco López’s flicked header.

But Fluminense showed character to equalize four minutes later, when Kevin Serna pounced on the rebound after Germán Cano’s header hit the post.

In stoppage time, Germán Cano showed why he will forever be a Tricolor top scorer and idol, glancing a header from close range into the back of the net.

🤬 Anger and resentment

In recent matches, the anger of Fluminense’s fans had been directed at then-coach Luis Zubeldía, the club’s general director Mário Bittencourt, and president Matheus Montenegro.

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Against Palmeiras, however, the target was John Arias, who chose Verdão over Tricolor after leaving Wolverhampton in England.

Every time the Colombian touched the ball, the entire Maracanã booed and insulted the former Tricolor idol.

In fact, when he left the field in the second half after being substituted, John Arias heard the Maracanã sing, “Olê olê olê olá, Judas, Judas!”

😯 There was refereeing controversy too

Early in the second half, Fluminense players appealed for a penalty in a play where the ball appeared to hit right-back Giay’s arm.

Referee Anderson Daronco did not give the foul, and VAR did not call him over for an on-field review.

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🚦 How things stand

With the result, Palmeiras remain top of the league with 48 points, but they could see Flamengo, with two games in hand, cut the gap to three points by the end of the round.

Fluminense, meanwhile, won again after eight official matches and stayed in fourth place with 38 points.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.