🎥 Pedro scores after final squad snub, Flamengo reach last 16 | OneFootball

Flamengo have secured a place in the 2026 Copa Libertadores round of 16.

The team improved in the second half and beat Estudiantes 1-0 this Wednesday (20).

His goal, from the fierce No. 9.

The match was played at the Maracanã in the fifth round of Group A.

Fla struggle in the 1st half

Flamengo’s greater possession before the break came to nothing.

It produced just one shot on target, saved by Muslera.

The team lacked inspiration to break down an opponent that was well organized without the ball.

And Estudiantes, taking every chance to slow the game down, looked dangerous from a string of corners. 

And the Nation’s roar finally came!

It was necessary to bring something new to the game.

But Leonardo Jardim did not make changes right away. 

The first substitutions came 15 minutes into the second half. 

And Flamengo’s goal came soon after, thanks to a mistake by Muslera combined with Pedro’s quality. 

The goal did Flamengo good. Besides controlling the game, Leonardo Jardim’s team kept creating chances as the minutes went by. 

They did not add another, but celebrated the three points. And a place in the round of 16. 

📊 Standings and schedule 📅

Flamengo moved up to 10 points, leaving Estudiantes on six.

Independiente Medellín (four) and Cusco (two) are playing each other.

In other words: Fla are guaranteed a place in the round of 16 and could still lock up first place this round.

And there are still another three points on the way. The expectation is that Conmebol will declare Rubro-Negro the winner by walkover (3-0) over Independiente Medellín because of the incidents in the match that was suspended.

The clash in the final round of the group stage will be next Tuesday (26), when CRF host Cusco.

On the same day and at the same time, 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, the Argentine side will face DIM at home.

But before that, Rubro-Negro will have a “decider” in the Brasileirão on Saturday (23).

A showdown against the competition leaders, again at the Maracanã.

Fla (with a game in hand) have 31 points, compared to 35 for Alviverde.

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

📸 MAURO PIMENTEL - AFP or licensors