Varela fumes at refereeing, alleges bias in Flamengo v Estudiantes | OneFootball

Varela scored a stunner early in the first half against Estudiantes (ARG)

Flamengo won, but the feeling was one of frustration after the goal scored at the end by Estudiantes (ARG). After the unfair expulsion of Gonzalo Plata, the Argentines scored, with Mengão winning 2-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Libertadores, at Maracanã. Varela, the author of one of the goals, saw the referee's interference as decisive for the score.

— First, congratulate our team, they played a great game. In the first half, we had the opportunity to extend the score, but we couldn't. In the second half, they retreated a bit, started to make a line of five, it got a bit difficult —, said Varela.

— But the referee has something to do with the last goal, because the game was controlled, they gave us many yellow cards and nothing for them, they started to help their team and unfortunately we conceded the goal, but that's it. Libertadores sometimes this happens, but our team is prepared like today to go there and win —, added the fullback.

WHO IS THE REFEREE?

Colombian, Andrés Rojas refereed a Flamengo game for the fifth time. The Rubro-Negro remains undefeated, with four wins and a draw. But, this Thursday (18), the referee upset the rubro-negros. At the end of the game, Gonzalo Plata was fouled, but the referee saw a stomp and gave the Ecuadorian a second yellow.

In addition, the referee reversed fouls, failed to give clear yellows to the Argentines, and irritated the rubro-negros. With one more, Estudiantes scored with Carrillo, in stoppage time. Before, Pedro, with 15 seconds of play, and Varela, at eight of the first half, put Flamengo ahead.

HOW DOES FLAMENGO QUALIFY?

With the result, Flamengo plays for a draw in La Plata to qualify. The match takes place next Thursday (25), starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). Before, however, the Rubro-Negro plays a classic against Vasco, for the Brasileirão, on Sunday (21).

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