Del Valle lose Libertadores' second-top scorer for Flamengo clash | OneFootball

Ecuadorian forward, the team’s main standout in the Libertadores, did not even travel to Rio de Janeiro

Flamengo and Independiente del Valle (ECU) face off this Thursday (17) in a match worth a place in the Libertadores semifinals. The Ecuadorian side is trailing on aggregate after losing the first leg, at the altitude of Quito, 2-0. On top of that, they have lost the team’s main player, Charli González.

WHO IS CHARLI GONZÁLEZ AND WHY IS THE FORWARD MISSING FOR DEL VALLE?

Forward Charli González has played nine matches and scored seven goals in the current edition of the Libertadores, making him the competition’s second-leading scorer, behind Álex Arce of Independiente Rivadavia (ARG). As a result, the player has been seen as the Ecuadorian team’s biggest standout in 2026. However, his absence comes at a decisive moment in the competition, precisely in the knockout tie against Flamengo.

Del Valle’s squad arrived in Rio de Janeiro in the early hours of Wednesday (16). However, according to reporting by Coluna do Fla, the forward did not even travel. The reason goes back to the first leg: the player felt muscle discomfort in his left leg and left the match against Flamengo at halftime.

HOW IS DEL VALLE EXPECTED TO LINE UP?

Del Valle, under Joaquín Papa, is expected to line up as follows: Aldair Quintana; Romero, Espinoza, Loor, Schunke and Cortez; Hugo Quintana, Sornoza and Briones; Reasco and Pata.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST LEG BETWEEN FLAMENGO AND DEL VALLE?

The first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals took place last Thursday (10). At Quito’s altitude of 2,850 meters, Flamengo secured a huge 2-0 win over Del Valle.

In the 15th minute of the second half, after a first half dominated by pressure from the home side, Jorginho found Samuel Lino on the left. The No. 16 then sent in a low cross for Bruno Henrique to finish into the net: 1-0.

After that, the Rubro-Negro remained in control of the game and extended the lead in the 29th minute. Following a corner taken by Plata, Samuel Lino picked out Emerson Royal, who sent the ball into the box. Léo Pereira rose to head it. The ball struck the post and ended up in the back of the net.

DO THE QUARTERFINALS HAVE EXTRA TIME?

Libertadores knockout matches do not have extra time. In addition, away goals are not a tiebreaker. Since they won the first leg 2-0, Flamengo can even lose by one goal and still advance to the semifinals. Any tie on aggregate, meanwhile, sends the decision to a penalty shootout.

WHERE TO WATCH FLAMENGO vs DEL VALLE?

The match between Flamengo and Independiente del Valle will be broadcast on ESPN on pay TV. In addition, Disney+, via streaming, will also show the decisive clash.

As usual, full coverage will take place on Coluna do Fla’s YouTube channel. That way, the internet’s most red-and-black team follows the Rio club’s every step daily, with news, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and everything involving the Most Beloved.

During the match, journalists Simon Lédo, Rock Hudson, and Rodrigo Lima will be on site at the Sacred Temple. The team will bring all the details of the clash, from pre-match to post-match, with interviews in the mixed zone and coach Leonardo Jardim’s press conference.

Meanwhile, the Coluna do Fla website will publish stories in real time about the matchup. In addition, its social media channels will capture every play and detail with full interactivity.

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