Fluminense Triumphs 6-1 in Friendly at Maracanã Marking Hulk's Debut

Fluminense delivered a commanding 6-1 victory over Nova Iguaçu in a friendly match held on July 8, 2026, at the iconic Maracanã Stadium, featuring the highly anticipated debut of striker Hulk. Despite not scoring, Hulk showed solid interplay with teammate Lucho Acosta but missed two clear goal-scoring chances. This match was Hulk's first since April 23, following delays caused by transfer window issues after his move from Atlético-MG in early May.

The victory was powered by goals from Hércules, Savarino—who netted twice—Martinelli, John Kennedy, and Germán Cano, illustrating Fluminense's offensive depth. The game started with a near goal from Lucho Acosta, but Nova Iguaçu quickly took an early lead through Daniel Zavoli at the 10th minute before Fluminense equalized via Hércules in the 24th minute. Savarino’s two goals, one before halftime and another in the second half, helped secure the momentum for Fluminense.

While Hulk was ovationed by the fans and performed his pregame ritual with hopes of delivering goals, defensive lapses persisted. Freytes faced fan criticism after a defensive error, highlighting ongoing concerns about the team's aerial defense.

Fluminense's coach, Luis Zubeldía, praised the team's overall solid performance and the strong start built on early offensive pressure. The match was officiated by Pierry Dias dos Santos, with two yellow cards shown to players from Nova Iguaçu.

The win marks a positive step for Fluminense as they prepare for their next friendly against Bahia scheduled for July 12, 2026, where Hulk is expected to continue integrating into the squad and aiming to open his scoring account.