Pure grit! Flamengo beat Del Valle and altitude, near semis | OneFootball

Flamengo secured a massive victory in Quito

A massive win that will worry their rivals! Even at an altitude of 2,850 meters, Flamengo beat Independiente del Valle (ECU) 2-0 and put one foot in the Copa Libertadores semifinal. The goals were scored by Bruno Henrique and Léo Pereira.

With the result, Flamengo can even afford to lose by one goal at the Maracanã next Thursday (17). Therefore, the Rubro-Negro have everything in their favor to face Corinthians or Estudiantes (ARG) in the next stage of the Libertadores. 

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

The match began very cautiously. Flamengo sat deep, while Del Valle kept insisting on high balls into the box. Early on, nothing major happened. However, the first real chance brought a huge scare for Fla. After a cross into the area, striker González hit it first time and struck Rossi’s left post in the 20th minute.

In short, that was the only real chance of the half. Del Valle, despite dominating possession, could not create much. On the other hand, Flamengo barely got past midfield. Still, while Quintana did not have to make a save, Rossi also did not need to make any interventions. The home side had 67% possession and six shots, while Leonardo Jardim’s team failed to register any in the opening half.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

The target of all Del Valle’s crosses in the first half, González did not return for the second half due to thigh muscle pain. As a result, the hosts changed their style of play, relying less on floated balls into the box. But the match kept following the same pattern as the first half, with few exciting moments.

Then, in Flamengo’s first real attack, ecstasy for the Nação! After winning the ball back high up the pitch, Jorginho played an extraordinary pass to Samuel Lino. Calmly, the No. 16 crossed for Bruno Henrique. The idol made no mistake. With the goal wide open, the forward simply tapped it into the net to open the scoring: Mengão 1-0!

After the goal, Leonardo Jardim called on Lucas Paquetá and Gonzalo Plata, though he did not send the pair on immediately. With Flamengo looking tired, Del Valle began to grow into the game. In the 23rd minute, Junior Sornoza missed a good headed chance.

Then, only at the hydration break in the 25th minute did Jardim make the changes. As a result, Arrascaeta and Carrascal came off. The substitutions paid off immediately. In a move down the right flank, Plata managed to win a corner.

From the set piece, Flamengo executed a rehearsed routine with a short corner. The ball reached Emerson Royal, who delivered a precise cross onto Léo Pereira’s head. With a delicate header, the defender simply sent the opposing goalkeeper the wrong way: Mengão 2-0!

WHEN WILL FLAMENGO AND DEL VALLE FACE EACH OTHER AGAIN?

In short, Flamengo and Independiente del Valle will meet again next Thursday (17) at the Maracanã, with a place in the Libertadores semifinal on the line. Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, with full coverage from Coluna do Fla.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Before turning their focus back to the Libertadores, however, Flamengo will now switch attention to the match against Corinthians on Sunday (13). On that occasion, the teams will face off at the Maracanã in the 27th round of the Brasileirão, starting at 5:30 p.m. Brasília time, with on-site coverage from Coluna do Fla. At the moment, Mengão sit at the top of the table with 54 points.

MATCH DETAILS

INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE 0-2 FLAMENGOCompetition: Libertadores, quarterfinals (first leg)Venue: Estádio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito – EcuadorDate: Thursday, September 10 Goals: Bruno Henrique 15’/2nd half, Léo Pereira 29’/2nd half

Independiente del Valle: Quintana; Romero, Carabajal, Schunke and Loor; Alcivar, Rodriguez, Quintana, Sornoza and Pata; González. Head coach: Joaquín Papa.

Flamengo: Rossi, Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Jorge Carrascal and Bruno Henrique. Head coach: Leonardo Jardim.

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