Estudiantes beat Cusco, lead Flamengo group; Mengão can reply Thursday | OneFootball

Estudiantes (ARG) moved onto four points, one ahead of Flamengo

Flamengo temporarily gave up first place in Libertadores Group A. That is because Estudiantes (ARG) beat Cusco (PER) 2-1 and moved onto four points, one more than Mengão. The second-round match took place at Jorge Luis Hirsch Stadium in Argentina this Tuesday (14).

As a result, the importance of the clash between Flamengo and Independiente Medellín (COL) on Thursday (16) has increased. If the Rubro-Negro win, they will retake first place. But if they lose, they will even fall out of the qualification zone for the round of 16.

HOW DID THE MATCH GO?

The match started with the impression that it would turn into a rout. After all, in ten minutes, Estudiantes had already taken five shots, compared to zero for Cusco. The Argentines controlled possession, while the Peruvians ‘knew how to suffer’ during the hosts’ spell of pressure.

However, in Cusco’s first big chance, Estudiantes opened the scoring. In the 27th minute, the Peruvian side tried a shot from midfield through Carabajal, but goalkeeper Muslera, who was off his line, recovered and saved the Argentine team. From the following play, the deadlock was broken.

After a cross into the box, Cusco goalkeeper Pedro Díaz came out badly and handed it straight to Farías, who, with an empty net, only had to tap it into the back of the net. However, the home side’s celebration did not last long.

With a sharp passing move, Cusco equalized in the 30th minute. Diego Soto found Lucas Colitto, who showed great composure and skill to get past defenders inside the box. The Peruvian forward then delicately placed a right-footed shot beyond Muslera.

However, the match’s final script was set early in the second half. In the third minute, Tiago Palacios put Estudiantes back in front with a shot from outside the box that took a deflection. In the fifth, Colitto received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Cusco a man down. From then on, the home side eased off and managed the score.

HOW DOES LIBERTADORES GROUP A STAND?

As a result, Estudiantes lead Libertadores Group A with four points. Next come Flamengo with three. However, it is worth noting that the Argentines have played one more match. Then come Independiente Medellín (COL) with one, and Cusco (PER) with none.

Flamengo and Independiente will play the second match of the round this Thursday (16), starting at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, at the Maracanã. The clash, which is worth the top spot for Mengão, will have full coverage from Coluna do Fla, live from the Maracanã.

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