Attacking midfielder Jhon Adolfo Arias Andrade, known as Jhon Arias, brushed aside hostility from the home crowd at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro after helping Palmeiras secure a 2-1 victory over Fluminense on Wednesday (14). The opening leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal, South America’s premier club soccer tournament, gave the São Paulo club the advantage of needing only a draw in the return fixture to reach the championship match.
Named to the starting lineup by Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira, the Colombian international faced insults and chants of “Judas” from the stands starting during the pre-match warm-up and continuing every time he touched the ball. More than 60,000 Fluminense supporters attended the match in Rio de Janeiro and raised the volume of their protests when the midfielder left the pitch in the 73rd minute to be replaced by Felipe Anderson.
Speaking to reporters as he left the field, the player stated that the reaction from the stands had no bearing on his performance or preparation. “I prepared the same way I prepare for every commitment. Actually, for me it does not interfere and changes nothing. Being very honest, it does not interest me. I think people have amnesia. I am a guy who won at this club, I am in its history. Those are things nobody can erase. Right now I defend another club. A club where I am very happy,” said Jhon Arias.
In a separate post-match interview, the Colombian reiterated that the reception in Rio de Janeiro caused zero psychological effect on his game. “For me, it changes nothing. And it does not interest me. We achieved a great result, we are going to fight for qualification in São Paulo. No, zero, the boos do not affect me,” he stated.
How a Premier League transfer turned Jhon Arias from Fluminense idol into Palmeiras rival
The friction between the attacking midfielder and the Rio de Janeiro fanbase began after the player switched sides upon returning to South American soccer. When he departed Brazil for England in a transfer worth 17 million euros, the Colombian had stated that he would give Fluminense priority in a potential return to the country, yet he signed with Palmeiras months later.
The continental semifinal clash marked the second time the athlete faced his former employer at the Maracanã Stadium since his return. The player’s career path between the two Brazilian clubs spans five years of trophies and transfers:
- August 2021: Fluminense signs Jhon Arias following his stints with Colombian clubs América de Cali and Independiente Santa Fe.
- 2022 and 2023: The attacking midfielder wins back-to-back titles in the Campeonato Carioca, the Rio de Janeiro state league.
- November 4, 2023: The Colombian captures Fluminense’s first-ever Copa Libertadores trophy, later adding the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, the continental super cup.
- July 2025: The athlete is sold to Wolverhampton in the English Premier League, closing his spell at the Rio de Janeiro club with four titles.
- February 2026: Arias returns to Brazilian soccer to play for Palmeiras.
- August 2026: In his first appearance against his former team at the Maracanã Stadium, during the Campeonato Brasileiro (the Brazilian national league), Fluminense defeats Palmeiras 3-2.
Counterattack goals by Flaco López and Marlon Freitas hand Fluminense its first home knockout loss
On the pitch, the home side coached by Marcão controlled possession, holding roughly 70% of the ball during the first half and finishing the night with an 11-7 edge in total shots. In the 41st minute of the opening half, Fluminense forward Hulk had a one-on-one opportunity, but Palmeiras goalkeeper Carlos Miguel blocked the shot with his chest to keep the game scoreless. Palmeiras relied on counterattacks to build its lead against a defense featuring Alexander Barboza, Gustavo Gómez, and Murilo.
On the visiting team’s first shot of the match, in the 45th minute of the first half, full-back Joaquín Piquerez delivered a low cross and Argentine forward José Manuel López, known as Flaco López, finished at the far post to open the scoring. After halftime, in the 85th minute, defensive midfielder Marlon Freitas — who came through Fluminense’s own youth academy — received a headed assist from substitute Felipe Anderson to double the visitors’ lead.
In second-half stoppage time, forward Wesley Natã, who had come off the bench to replace Jefferson Savarino, headed in a cross from full-back Guga to cut the deficit for the hosts. Despite the late goal, the defeat ended Fluminense’s unbeaten record as the home team in Copa Libertadores knockout rounds; prior to October 14, 2026, the club held 15 wins and five draws across 20 home elimination matches in the tournament’s history.
- Final score: Fluminense 1-2 Palmeiras.
- Venue: Maracanã Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Attendance: More than 60,000 spectators.
- Jhon Arias substitution: Left the match in the 73rd minute for Felipe Anderson.
- Officiating crew: Referee Facundo Tello, assisted by linesmen Juan Belatti and Gabriel Chade, with Silvio Trucco in charge of the video assistant referee (VAR), all representing Argentina.
Qualifying scenarios for the return leg at Nubank Parque and weekend league schedule
The decisive second leg that will determine the Copa Libertadores finalist is scheduled for Wednesday (21) at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at Nubank Parque in São Paulo. Following the road win in Rio de Janeiro, Palmeiras needs only a tie in front of its home supporters to advance to the continental final.
For Fluminense to secure direct qualification in regulation time, the team must win the match in São Paulo by two or more goals. If the Rio de Janeiro club wins by a margin of exactly one goal, the spot in the final will be decided by a penalty shootout.
“Our objective was to win. We knew it would be difficult. Obviously Flu has its merits for being in this stage too, but we have been showing the strength of our squad. Hopefully on Wednesday we can get the spot in the final,” declared Jhon Arias when looking ahead to the second game.
Before the decisive continental rematch, both clubs have commitments in the Campeonato Brasileiro this weekend. Palmeiras visits Athletico-PR on Saturday (17) at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, while Fluminense hosts Santos on Sunday (18) at 4:00 p.m. Brasília time back at the Maracanã Stadium.
