Flamengo are in the semifinals of the Libertadores Sub-20. The goalless draw with Independiente Medellín-COL guaranteed first place in group A and a place among the four best in the tournament. The match was played this Friday (13), at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, in Quito, Ecuador.

It was the third game in seven days, concluding an intense sequence in the first phase of the competition. Even facing the marathon of games and the 2.850 meters of altitude in the Ecuadorian capital, the Flamengo youth team secured the necessary result. Now, the Rubro-Negro will face the best second-placed team among the three groups in the competition.

With the draw, Flamengo also extended its longest unbeaten streak in the history of the U-20 Libertadores Cup to 15 games. In total, across four appearances in the tournament, Flamengo has played 18 matches, with only one defeat and reaching the semi-finals of the competition since its debut.

The game

Flamengo started the match looking to attack. In the very first minute, Daniel Sales crossed from the right looking for Josmar, but the Colombian defense managed to clear it for a corner.

The best opportunity of the first half came in the 10th minute. Josmar took advantage of a mistake by the Independiente Medellín defensive line and shot from outside the area, forcing goalkeeper Blanco to parry the ball for a corner. Shortly after, the striker again created danger by entering the area and shooting, but the ball deflected off the opposing defense.

Flamengo continued to create the best opportunities and had a chance to open the scoring in the 28th minute when Josmar was brought down inside the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Guilherme took the penalty but hit the post, and the score remained unchanged. Also during the play that led to the penalty, Ryan Roberto was fouled and needed medical attention on the pitch, being substituted shortly after.

 In the second half, Independiente Medellín had more possession of the ball and tried to press for the win, a result that would keep the team in contention for qualification. Flamengo, in turn, adopted a more cautious approach and sought to control the opponent's attacks.

 Despite the Colombians' greater offensive presence in the second half, Flamengo's defensive system managed to neutralize their main attempts. Independiente's best chance came in stoppage time, when goalkeeper Léo Nannetti made an important save to keep the score at 0-0.

 After six minutes of added time, the draw was confirmed and Flamengo secured the lead in Group A and advanced to the semifinals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Sub-20.

next game

The Flamengo youth team returns to the field on Thursday (19) to face the second best overall team from the group stage in the semi-final of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Sub-20, with the time and location to be confirmed. FlamengoTV will broadcast the match, with images.

Flamengo

Leo Nannetti; Daniel Sales, João Victor, Daniel Thuram (Ernest Muñoz) and Gustavo Ramires (Pablo Lúcio); Alan Santos, Luis Felipe, Kaio Nóbrega (Lucas Vieira) and Ryan Roberto (Gusttavo); Josmar (João Paulo Camargo) and Guilherme. Coach: Bruno Pivetti.

Independiente Medellín 

Iker Blanco; Jhan Mena, Marlon Balanta (Luis Piedrahita), Jhofre Tenório (Adrian Mosquera) and Thómason Banguera; Jáidinson Córdoba (Davinson Estupiñán) and Alan Valdelmar; Santiago Martínez, José Luis Palacios (Juan Manuel) and Kélner Klinger; Andrés Dávila (Nivaldo Erazo). Coach: Sebastián Botero.

Credits

Flamengo 0 x 0 Independiente Medellín – Game 3 of the Group Stage | CONMEBOL Libertadores U20

Location: Atahualpa Olympic Stadium – Quito, Ecuador

Date and time: March 7, 2026 at 7 PM (9 PM Brasília time)

Arbitration: Diego Enrique Flores Seguel (CHI); Carlos Ernesto Venegas Diaz (CHI); Wladimir Ignacio Muñoz Figueroa (CHI); Jordi Stanley Espinoza Valles (PER)

Yellow cards: Jhofre Tenório (DIM); Thómason Banguera (DIM); Kélner Klinger (DIM); Alan Valdelmar (DIM); João Paulo Camargo (FLA).