Top spot! Flamengo thrash Medellín, open gap in Libertadores Group A | OneFootball

With standout performances from Lucas Paquetá, Bruno Henrique and Arrascaeta, Flamengo beat Independiente Medellín (COL)

THE LEADER STAYS ON TOP! Flamengo reclaimed first place in Group A of the Copa Libertadores. This Thursday (16), the Rubro-Negro beat Independiente Medellín (COL) 4-1 and put themselves in a strong position in the continental competition.

As a result, Flamengo remain with a perfect record and six points from two matches. Mengão’s next opponent in the Libertadores, Estudiantes (ARG), have four points. Medellín are third with one, while Cusco (PER) have none.

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

Three minutes in, Flamengo wasted an UNBELIEVABLE chance. Lucas Paquetá played a brilliant pass to Samuel Lino, who sent in a low cross for Carrascal, with the goalkeeper out of the play. However, the Colombian somehow missed it, practically on the goal line.

The match was easy for Flamengo, who were completely in control in the opening minutes. So the goal felt like a matter of time. In the 14th minute, Ayrton Lucas surged down the left and passed to Lucas Paquetá. The academy product controlled it, the ball popped up slightly, and that was enough for the midfielder to lash at it, sending it into the corner. Mengo 1-0!

Flamengo eased off a little, and Medellín started seeing more of the ball, though without threatening. Even so, the Rubro-Negro remained calm and came alive again near the end of the half. In the 36th minute, Arrascaeta took a dangerous free kick, forcing the opposing goalkeeper into a great save. In the 37th, after a cross from Samuel Lino, the Uruguayan hit the post with a free header inside the box.

But the Libertadores is tricky and does not forgive lapses in concentration. In the 39th minute, Carrascal tried to showboat in midfield and lost the ball. Medellín did not waste the opportunity. On a quick counterattack, Yony González, formerly of Fluminense, leveled the score.

The rubro-negro fans were already starting to get irritated, but calm returned in the 45th minute. Arrascaeta got to the byline and delivered it perfectly onto the head of Bruno Henrique. The idol powered his header into the back of the net and sent the Maracanã into raptures: Mengo 2-1!

The match stayed intense. In the 49th minute, Fydriszewski beat Emerson Royal after a cross and headed it against the post, giving the Nação a scare. It remained end to end. In the 50th, Carrascal received a lovely pass from Samuel Lino, unmarked, but shot straight at the goalkeeper.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

The second half started with a 2019 vibe! Three minutes in, Arrascaeta played a through ball to Bruno Henrique. Wearing No. 27, he burst forward, kept his composure, stopped, and laid it back. The Uruguayan arrived and fired it in before wheeling away in celebration. Flamengo 3-1.

In the 18th minute, Léo Pereira even found the net after a free kick taken by Jorge Carrascal. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a razor-thin offside.

After that, Leonardo Jardim began making substitutions with Sunday’s (19) match against Bahia in mind. Players like Lucas Paquetá and Arrascaeta, for example, were taken off. From then on, Flamengo simply controlled the game and let the clock run down. An important win, with qualification well on track. In stoppage time, Pedro still had time to seal the scoreline.

WHEN IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Flamengo’s third match in the Libertadores will be on April 29, against Estudiantes (ARG), in La Plata. Before that, however, the Most Beloved will have two Brasileirão matches and one Copa do Brasil fixture. The next one is on Sunday (19), against Bahia at the Maracanã, in the national league. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time).

MATCH DETAILSFLAMENGO 4X1 INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍNCompetition: Copa Libertadores, third roundVenue: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de JaneiroDate: April 16, 2026Goals: Lucas Paquetá 14’/1st, Yony González 39’/1st, Bruno Henrique 45’/1st, Arrascaeta 3’/2nd, Pedro 51’/2nd

Flamengo: Rossi, Emerson Royal, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Evertton Araújo, Lucas Paquetá and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Carrascal and Bruno Henrique. Coach: Leonardo Jardim.

Independiente Medellín: Chaux, Chaverra, Ortiz, Londoño and Fabra; Perlaza, Serna, Mena and González; Chaverra and Fydriszewski. Coach: Alejandro Restrepo

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