Arrascaeta is Flamengo’s man in Libertadores team of the week, see XI | OneFootball

Flamengo goalscorer against Independiente del Valle (ECU), Arrascaeta received recognition

Flamengo, Estudiantes (ARG), Fluminense, and Palmeiras are the semifinalists of the 2026 Copa Libertadores de América. It is no surprise, then, that players from the four standout teams on the continent dominated the “Team of the Round” released by Conmebol.

Of the 11 players selected, eight come from the semifinalist quartet. For Mengão, the scorer of the goal against Independiente del Valle (ECU), Arrascaeta, was among those highlighted.

LIBERTADORES TEAM OF THE ROUND

Carlos Miguel (Palmeiras)

Mateo Carabajal (Independiente del Valle) Tomás Palacios (Estudiantes) Eros Mancuso (Estudiantes)

Alexis Castro (Estudiantes) Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo) Marlon Freitas (Palmeiras) Guido Mainero (Platense)

Vitor Roque (Palmeiras) Michael Estrada (LDU) Agustín Canobbio (Fluminense)

ARRASCAETA THE STANDOUT?

Flamengo star Arrascaeta came off the bench to relieve the pressure on the red-and-black side. With Mengão trailing Independiente del Valle 1-0 and down a man after Jorginho’s red card, the No. 10 took advantage of a long ball from Rossi and headed home the equalizer late in the second half. In doing so, the midfielder’s introduction sealed the reigning champions’ place in the semifinals and once again showed his importance in decisive matches.

HOW DID FLUMINENSE ADVANCE?

Fluminense secured qualification for the Libertadores semifinals despite a 2-1 defeat to Platense (ARG) in Buenos Aires, going through on a 3-2 aggregate score. The Rio side came under heavy pressure in the first half in Argentina and allowed the home team to level the tie with goals from Guido Mainero and Bruno Sepúlveda.

However, forward Agustín Canobbio found the net in the second half after an individual play, scoring the decisive goal for the Brazilian side. In this way, the advantage built in the previous match kept the Tricolor club alive in the continental competition and into the next round.

AND PALMEIRAS?

Palmeiras booked a dramatic place in the Libertadores semifinals by beating LDU (ECU) 4-3 on penalties at the altitude of Quito. In regular time, the Ecuadorian side won 3-2, with goals from Luis Segovia and Michael Estrada—the latter scoring twice in stoppage time—while Marlon Freitas and Vitor Roque (from the penalty spot) scored for the visitors.

As the São Paulo club had won the first leg 1-0 at Nubank Parque, the aggregate tie sent the decision to a penalty shootout. In the decisive shootout, goalkeeper Carlos Miguel stood out by saving two LDU penalties. As a result, Palmeiras advanced in the continental competition.

ESTUDIANTES PREVENTED AN ALL-BRAZILIAN SEMIFINAL

Estudiantes secured a place in the Libertadores semifinals by eliminating Corinthians with a 2-1 aggregate score in the quarterfinals. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in La Plata, the Argentine side settled the tie late in the second leg with a goal from Alexis Castro, assisted by Tomás Palacios.

In stoppage time, Corinthians had a chance to equalize from the penalty spot, but Memphis Depay sent the attempt wide. As a result, the Argentine team secured its place and prevented the continental competition’s semifinals from being made up exclusively of Brazilian clubs.

AND FLAMENGO?

Flamengo secured qualification for the Libertadores semifinals by drawing 1-1 with Independiente del Valle at the Maracanã, sealing the spot with a 3-1 aggregate score. The red-and-black side came under heavy pressure at home and had to cope with Jorginho’s red card, which left the team with one fewer player on the pitch. However, Arrascaeta scored Mengão’s goal and ensured the favorable result. In other words, the Rio club managed the “comfortable” advantage it had built in the first leg, played at the altitude of Quito.

WHEN WILL THE SEMIFINALS TAKE PLACE?

The dates and kickoff times for the Libertadores semifinals were set by Conmebol this Monday (21). On October 14, Fluminense host Palmeiras at the Maracanã, while Flamengo face Estudiantes on October 15, with both matches scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Brasília time. It is worth noting that the venue for the Argentine team’s first-leg match is still awaiting official confirmation.

The finalists in the continental competition will be decided the following week. Thus, the second leg between the Brazilian clubs will take place in São Paulo, at Nubank Parque, on October 21 at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time. Finally, the Maracanã will host the decisive match between the Rio and Argentine sides on October 22, also at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time.

AUTHOR’S OPINION

— Erick Pulgar deserved to be in the Libertadores “Team of the Round” after posting the best defensive midfield numbers in the decisive match against Independiente del Valle. He led in tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries, in addition to carrying the red-and-black side “on his back” after Jorginho’s sending-off. It is no coincidence that he won the competition’s fan vote as the best player of the week (Hero of the Week). Ignoring such a decisive performance, one recognized by the public, in the official selection seemed like a mistake to me —, said Mônica Alves, writer and reporter for Coluna do Fla, the largest niche sports website in Brazil covering Mengão.

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