The Champions League finalists were the last African team standing going into this final Group F encounter and though they certainly troubled their Brazilian opponents, they fell short of making the final 16.
Mamelodi, known as the Brazilians themselves due to their canary yellow shirts, created their best chances early in the first half but each time the ageless Fabio kept them out.
Before a small crowd of mostly Flu fans, Miguel Cardoso’s South Africans set about pressing their opposition from the kickoff.
Both Tashreeq Matthews and Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) tested 44-year-old Fabio but the ageless goalie proved he is still more than capable.
In the end, those early threats were probably the nearest Mamelodi came to scoring.
As the first half wore on Fluminense gained more control and it looked increasingly hard for the Africans to create good opportunities despite having the bulk of possession.
Perhaps the men from Rio had seen what their opponents could produce and then felt able to retain them at arm’s length.
Which is what also happened in the second period.
Except that Flu did also engineer some threats themselves, often involving German Cano and the top-rated Jhon Arias.
The men in yellow stayed solid but then struggled to create a telling move at the other end, even though they did have some late pressure.
In the end, Fluminense did enough and didn't always need to engage top gear albeit against spirited opposition.
Ultimately the pattern, in this greatly expanded tournament, seems likely to follow past versions with the leading South Americans fighting it out with the top Europeans in the latter stages.
While the African representatives, particularly Esperance and Mamelodi, did have their moments before exiting at the Group stage (with some very decent financial compensation).
Report from Miami - John Bethell
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