Ex-River Plate on Flamengo’s 2019 Libertadores comeback, opens up | OneFootball

Lucas Pratto 'became a hero' of Flamengo's victory in the 2019 Libertadores final

The final of the Libertadores 2025 will be in Lima, Peru. The last time the city hosted the continental decision was in 2019, with Flamengo turning the game against River Plate (ARG) in the decisive minutes. The red-and-black reaction began after a mistake by Lucas Pratto, the Argentine team's forward at the time, which resulted in Gabigol's first goal.

See this photo on Instagram A post shared by El Impacto (@elimpactocom)

In a recent interview, the 'Bear', as he is known in Argentina, shared details of the play that kept Flamengo alive in the game and denied the villain label. After all, according to the forward, he cannot be blamed for the draw after losing the ball far from goalkeeper Armani's goal.

WHAT DID LUCAS PRATTO SAY?

— I never saw Montiel (to pass the ball). I was looking everywhere because I didn't want to make a mistake. I looked everywhere, searching, I looked to the left first. I needed to finish the play, I didn't want to go back. When I was about to finish the play, then Arrascaeta comes and takes the ball. All I could do was run, run, run, and it ends in a goal — said Pratto, in a recent interview with the portal 'El Impacto'.

— I never watched the final again, I never saw the play, I also never saw the second goal. After the match, I felt sick, cried a lot. We are used to seeing defenders being blamed when they make mistakes, but I'm a forward, I lost the ball 70 meters from the goal, and they blame me for losing the ball — he added.

REMEMBERING IS LIVING, NATION?

On November 23, 2019, Rafael Santos Borré opened the scoring for River Plate. However, at 43 minutes of the second half, after Pratto's mistake, Arrascaeta led the counterattack, passed to Bruno Henrique and received it back. The Uruguayan found Gabigol in the area, and the forward equalized.

Soon after, at 46 minutes, Diego Ribas made a long pass, defender Pinola failed, and Gabigol turned the game around spectacularly, securing the Copa Libertadores de América championship for the second time for Flamengo in Lima. Now, the dream of a third title passes through the Peruvian capital.

WHERE WILL THE LIBERTADORES 2025 FINAL BE?

This year's grand decision will be in Lima again. However, to get there, Flamengo needs to get past Racing on Wednesday (29), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time). Before that, the Red-and-Black faces Fortaleza in the Brasileirão this Saturday (25).

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