Flamengo beat Internacional, one draw from Libertadores quarters | OneFootball

With a goal from Bruno Henrique, Flamengo defeated Internacional 1-0 at Maracanã

In the first half, it looked like it was going to be a rout. In the second, tension. However, in the end, Flamengo claimed a 1-0 victory over Internacional in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores da América round of 16. Flamengo idol Bruno Henrique scored at Maracanã this Wednesday (13), giving the Rubro-Negro the advantage.

Thus, Flamengo only needs a draw to advance to the Libertadores quarterfinals. The return match takes place next Wednesday (20), at Estádio Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre. The winner will face either Estudiantes (ARG) or Cerro Porteño (PAR) in the next round. The Argentinians are ahead after a 1-0 away win.

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

Flamengo came out strong, as usual. Within a minute, after a beautiful exchange of passes, Mengão had a free kick to take, but Luiz Araújo hit the wall. Soon after, Léo Pereira headed a corner cross, but it posed little danger to Rochet. In the 12th minute, the crowd erupted at Maracanã: the number 7 for the Rubro-Negro received the ball on the right wing, cut inside, shot, and the Uruguayan goalkeeper made a fine save, encouraging the fans to turn up the volume.

Roger Machado’s defensive setup was finally broken in the 27th minute. And it was by Internacional’s nemesis: Bruno Henrique. Luiz Araújo took a corner into the box, and BH27 headed it into the back of the net. Mengão 1-0 at Maracanã! It’s worth remembering that the Rubro-Negro idol scored twice against the team from Rio Grande do Sul in the 2019 quarterfinals.

At 32 minutes, Alex Sandro delivered a pinpoint cross to Plata, who headed it for a strange save by Rochet. Despite Flamengo’s goal, the visitors stayed defensive, but Mengo couldn’t extend their lead in the first half. Thus, Filipe Luís’s team finished the first half with 73% possession and eight shots to one.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

At halftime, Filipe Luís had to make a change, as Emerson Royal twisted his left ankle. Therefore, Varela came on for the final stage. The game also changed. If Internacional barely touched the ball in the first half, the second half started oddly for Flamengo, with the visitors more offensive and Mengo making many mistakes.

Up to the 25th minute of the second half, Flamengo hadn’t taken a shot. So, Filipe Luís had to make more changes. Everton Cebolinha and Jorge Carrascal came on for Samuel Lino and Gonzalo Plata, who were clearly tired. At 37 minutes, two more changes: Pedro and Evertton Araújo entered, while Bruno Henrique and Allan came off.

The game became technically poor, with few chances. There was an important moment at 43 minutes, when Luiz Araújo shot, but Rochet managed to save with his feet from inside the box. Therefore, Mengão takes the advantage to Porto Alegre.

WHEN IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Flamengo will play two more matches against Internacional in a row. On Sunday (17), the Rubro-Negro goes to Beira-Rio for the 20th round of the Brasileirão. Then, next Wednesday (20), the return leg of the Copa Libertadores da América round of 16. The league match will be at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), while the knockout clash will be at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).

MATCH DETAILS FLAMENGO 1X0 INTERNACIONAL Competition: Copa Libertadores da América, round of 16, first leg Venue: Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro Date: August 13, 2025, Wednesday Goal: Bruno Henrique 27’/1st

LINEUPS

Flamengo: Rossi, Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Allan and Luiz Araújo; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata and Bruno Henrique. Coach: Filipe Luís.

Internacional: Rochet; Aguirre, Vitão Juninho and Bernabei; Thiago Maia, Alan Rodríguez and Bruno Tabata; Alan Patrick, Wesley and Ricardo Mathias. Coach: Roger Machado.

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