Into the quarters! Flamengo beat Cruzeiro in Libertadores | OneFootball

With a dominant first-half display by Flamengo, the four-time champion is through to the Libertadores quarterfinals

QUALIFIED! Flamengo is in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores de América. This Wednesday (19), after an exceptional first half, Mengão beat Cruzeiro 2-1 at the Maracanã. Since the teams had drawn 1-1 at Mineirão, the Most Beloved advances in the continental tournament.

Now, Flamengo awaits the winner of the clash between Independiente del Valle (ECU) and Deportes Tolima (COL). In the first leg, the Ecuadorians won 1-0 in Colombia. The return match, in Ecuador, will be next Tuesday (25). Coluna do Fla, of course, will be following everything. 

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

Flamengo had the first good chance of the game. In the seventh minute, Jorginho crossed the ball into the box onto the head of an unmarked Léo Ortiz. But the center back headed it just wide of goalkeeper Otávio’s post, to the frustration of the red-and-black fans on the field and in the stands. It was all Mengo. In the 11th minute, Samuel Lino shot from outside the box, and the keeper saved it. In the next play, Pedro wasted a great opportunity after a defensive mistake by the team from Minas Gerais.

Flamengo’s missed-chance machine kept running, to the despair of the fans. In the 17th minute, Samuel Lino struck from the edge of the box and hit the outside of the net. In the 20th, Pedro received the ball with space, cut inside onto his left, but shot over the bar.

Flamengo’s red-and-black first-half onslaught was finally rewarded. And it came with a masterful touch from Arrascaeta. The number 10 played a one-two with Pedro, and the striker laid it back first time to the Uruguayan. With a beautiful side-footed finish, the midfielder opened the scoring, finding the top corner with no chance for Otávio. Flamengo 1-0, in the 34th minute. It was the team’s 14th shot of the match. By that point, Cruzeiro had only one.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

Two minutes into the second half, a huge scare for the fans. After a cross from the right by William, the ball almost fully crossed the line, but Jorginho cleared it before it went all the way over. However, it did not take long for Cruzeiro to equalize. In the fifth minute, Gerson passed to Lucas Romero, who unleashed a rocket from long range. All square, 1-1.

Flamengo did not come back out for the second half. After ten minutes, an error playing out from the back by the red-and-blacks almost allowed Kaio Jorge to turn the game around. What Rubro-Negro was doing after the break was surreal, completely scattered and nervous. In the 12th minute, Kaio Jorge threatened again. But football is incredible!

When it seemed like Cruzeiro’s comeback was only a matter of time, Flamengo found a goal. Arrascaeta found Pedro inside the box, and the number 9 gave it a little touch to Samuel Lino. The winger tore through the opposing defense and fired into the net: Mengão 2-1, and it was party time at the Maracanã in the 16th minute.

RED-AND-BLACK CONTROL

Right after the goal, Leonardo Jardim made two substitutions: Arrascaeta and Plata came off, while Lucas Paquetá and Jorge Carrascal came on. In the very first move, the Brazilian received a good pass from Pedro but hit it weakly for an easy save by Otávio. But Cruzeiro was still alive in the game.

In the 29th minute, Kaio Jorge received the ball on the right wing and pulled it back. Matheus Pereira was about to strike, but Erick Pulgar got a crucial deflection. After the play, Leonardo Jardim made two more changes: Bruno Henrique and Varela came on for Pedro and Ayrton Lucas, who felt discomfort.

With ten minutes left in regulation time, Leonardo Jardim took off Jorginho, who was physically exhausted. The midfielder showed tremendous fight on the field, running the whole time, and could not hold on through the final stretch. In the decisive closing moments, the visitors were unable to apply pressure, and Mengão advanced to the quarterfinals. 

WHEN IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT GAME?

Flamengo returns to the field next Saturday (22), once again against Cruzeiro, this time in the Brazilian Championship. The match will take place at Mineirão, starting at 8:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The result could put Rubro-Negro at the top of the competition.

MATCH DETAILSFLAMENGO 2-1 CRUZEIROCompetition: Copa Libertadores de América, round of 16 (second leg)Venue: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de JaneiroDate: August 19, 2026, WednesdayGoals: Arrascaeta 34’/1st, Lucas Romero 5’/2nd, Samuel Lino 16’/2nd

Flamengo: Agustín Rossi, Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata and Pedro. Coach: Leonardo Jardim. 

Cruzeiro: Otávio, William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus and Rojas; Lucas Romero, Gerson and Matheus Pereira; Wesley, Arroyo and Kaio Jorge. Coach: Artur Jorge.

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