Late John Kennedy Strike Completes Fluminense Fightback at Santos
Fluminense FC mounted a stirring comeback to defeat Santos FC 3–2 away in a topsy-turvy Campeonato Brasileiro Série A duel on matchday 12, sealed by a late goal from John Kennedy.
The hosts started sharply and took an early lead in the 9th minute. Gabriel Barbosa struck first for Santos, putting the home side 1–0 up and setting the tone for an open encounter.
Fluminense responded midway through the first half. In the 24th minute, Jefferson Savarino levelled the score at 1–1, finishing after good work from Rodrigo Castillo, who provided the assist. A spate of yellow cards followed as the contest grew increasingly intense, with Santos defenders Igor Vinícius and Gustavo Henrique booked, and Facundo Bernal, coach Luis Zubeldía and Alisson all cautioned for Fluminense.
Santos regained the initiative early in the second half. On 57 minutes, Álvaro Barreal restored the lead at 2–1, finishing a move created by Gabriel Barbosa, who turned provider. Fluminense hit back almost immediately: three minutes later, at 60 minutes, Castillo converted from a Guga assist to bring the visitors level again at 2–2.
Searching for control, both sides turned to their benches. Santos introduced Rafael Gonzaga at half-time and later Lautaro Diaz, Benjamín Rollheiser and Thaciano, while Fluminense brought on John Kennedy, Otávio, Riquelme Felipe, Ganso and Renê. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute, when Kennedy struck from another Guga assist to complete the turnaround and put Fluminense 3–2 ahead.
Further yellow cards for Luan Peres and Otávio underlined the frenetic finish, but Fluminense held on to claim all three points.
Only goal, card and substitution details were available at the time of writing; additional match statistics and full line-ups were not provided. For more on the Brazilian top flight, visit the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A page, or see the full match overview here.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
SE Palmeiras
|
14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 33 | D W W D W |
| 2 |
CR Flamengo
|
13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 27 | D W W W W |
| 3 |
Fluminense FC
|
14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 26 | L W W L D |
| 4 |
São Paulo FC
|
14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 24 | D W L L W |
| 5 |
CA Paranaense
|
14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 23 | D W L W L |
| 6 |
EC Bahia
|
13 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 22 | D D L W L |
| 7 |
RB Bragantino
|
14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 20 | W L W L W |
| 8 |
Coritiba FBC
|
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 19 | L L W D D |
| 9 |
EC Vitória
|
13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 18 | -2 | 18 | W L D W D |
| 10 |
Botafogo FR
|
13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 26 | -1 | 17 | L D W D W |
| 11 |
CA Mineiro
|
14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 17 | W L L L W |
| 12 |
SC Internacional
|
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 17 | W D L D W |
| 13 |
CR Vasco da Gama
|
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 17 | D L W D L |
| 14 |
Grêmio FBPA
|
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 17 | D W L D D |
| 15 |
Cruzeiro EC
|
14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 16 | L W W W L |
| 16 |
Santos FC
|
14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 15 | D D L W L |
| 17 |
SC Corinthians Paulista
|
14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 15 | L W D D L |
| 18 |
Mirassol FC
|
13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 12 | W L W L L |
| 19 |
Clube do Remo
|
14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 11 | W L L D D |
| 20 |
Chapecoense AF
|
13 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 8 | L L L L D |
