Flamengo concede after red, edge Estudiantes with narrow lead | OneFootball

Flamengo moved closer to qualifying for the semifinals of the Libertadores. This Thursday, the red-and-blacks won 2-1 against Estudiantes-ARG at Maracanã, in the first leg of the quarterfinals. Flamengo scored both goals in the first half, with Pedro and Varela. The Argentinians pulled one back in the second half with Carrillo, after the controversial sending off of Plata, who received a second yellow card.

Match Situation

The two teams will face each other again next Thursday in La Plata, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium. The team from Rio can advance to the Libertadores semifinals with a draw. If the aggregate score is tied, the decision will go to penalties. The winner of this matchup will face the winner of Racing vs. Vélez Sarsfield in the semifinals.

📋 Match Summary

🔴⚫ Flamengo 2 x 1 Estudiantes ⚪🔴

🏆 Competition: first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals 🏟️ Venue: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) 📅 Date: September 18, 2025 (Thursday) ⏰ Time: 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time)

🟨 Yellow Cards: Samuel Lino, Bruno Henrique, and Saul (Flamengo); Farias, Nuñez, and Castro (Estudiantes) 🟥 Red Cards: Plata (Flamengo)

Refereeing Referee: Andrés Rojas (COL) Assistants: Alexander Guzman (COL) and John León (COL) VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)

Goals ⚽ Flamengo: Pedro, at 18’ of the 1st half; Varela, at 8’ of the 1st half ⚽ Estudiantes: Carrillo, at 45’ of the 2nd half

Lineups

🔴⚫ Flamengo Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz, Saúl (Allan), and Arrascaeta (Luiz Araújo); Plata, Pedro (Bruno Henrique), and Samuel Lino (Danilo) Coach: Filipe Luís

⚪🔴 Estudiantes Muslera; Gómez, Nuñez, Rodríguez, and Arzamendía (Perez); Ascacíbar, Amondarain (Allario), Piovi (Benedetti), Médina (Palacios), and Farías (Castro); Carrillo Coach: Eduardo Domínguez

How was the match?

Flamengo started the match at full throttle and opened the scoring after just 18 seconds. In a quick attack, Plata exchanged passes with Pedro and returned the ball to the number 9 inside the box. The Brazilian striker turned on the defender and finished with his left foot into the net.

The red-and-blacks kept up the pressure and continued to press Estudiantes. Thus, the team from Rio doubled their lead at 8 minutes. Ayrton Lucas crossed for Varela, who hit a beautiful first-time shot, leaving Muslera with no chance.

Second half

At 31 minutes, Flamengo was left with one less player. Plata received a second yellow card and was sent off. The play was controversial, as the Flamengo player touched the ball first and was then hit by Facundo Rodríguez, the visiting defender. Referee Andrés Rojas saw recklessness from the home team’s number 50 and decided to issue the warning.

From then on, Estudiantes pressed to reduce the deficit. The Argentinians managed to score at 45 minutes, with Carrillo. The center forward took advantage of a loose ball in the box and shot precisely into the right corner of Rossi’s goal. Thus, the team from Rio heads into the return leg with a narrow advantage.

Upcoming Matches

Flamengo Hosts Vasco da Gama, for the 24th round of the Brasileirão, at Maracanã, at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Estudiantes Hosts Defensa y Justicia, for the ninth round of the Clausura of the Argentine Championship, at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, at 7:00 p.m. next Monday (22).

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