In a match played on Thursday night (27) and valid for the semifinal of the Conmebol Libertadores Cup, Flamengo's Under-20 team, the "Garotos do Ninho" (Ninho Boys), were winning against Independiente Del Valle (EQU) until the 44th minute of the second half and had their place in the final of the competition on track. That was when the referee signaled a dubious penalty in favor of the Ecuadorians (the second against Flamengo in the game - goalkeeper João Fernando saved the first penalty). Afterwards, in stoppage time, Guilherme Bala was clearly brought down inside the opponent's area. But the referee let the game continue. 

After a 1-1 draw (Guilherme Bala) in regulation time, the Mais Querido (Most Beloved) lost 5-4 on penalty kicks and was eliminated from the final of the South American competition. However, they remain in Asunción for the third-place match against the loser of River Plate (ARG) vs. Libertad (PAR), who face off later this Thursday night. It's worth noting that the Rubro-Negro will play the tournament without half of the Brazilian champions and the Brazilian Super Cup in December, as most of the players were unable to register in time for the deadline.

Like any good semifinal, the match started tensely, with very few clear-cut chances. The first was Flamengo's. In the 12th minute, Yuri Cesar hit a stylish cross-shot. The ball would have gone into the corner, but goalkeeper Joan Reina saved it. In the 16th minute, Matheus França got ahead of his marker, burst into the opponent's box at speed, and hit a cross-shot. The ball flew past the goalkeeper, but defender Piero Reyna made the save, saving the Ecuadorian team. Gradually, Flamengo began to play more offensively and create more chances.

In the 18th minute, however, the referee signaled a penalty for Yuri Cesar on the Ecuadorian striker. Andres Mena took the shot, and Rubro-Negro goalkeeper João Fernando jumped beautifully and made a great save, keeping the score tied. And the Boys from the Nest returned to the attack. In the 30th minute, Yuri Cesar crossed and Wendel headed it past Piero Reyna, making a safe save in the final dangerous play of the first half.

The game remained tight after the break. In the 12th minute, Darlin Lamilla received the ball in the box. Alert, João Fernando came out at the right time and smothered the ball, making another good save of the match. In the 27th minute, the Garotos do Ninho opened the scoring. After putting pressure on the opponent's play, Yuri Cesar stole the ball and passed it to Wendel in the middle of the box. He calmly saw Guilherme Bala coming. With composure and decisiveness, the forward cut inside and shot low into the corner, putting the Rubro-Negro ahead. 

A spot that should have come had the referee not awarded another penalty in the 44th minute, this one quite dubious, in favor of the Ecuadorian team. Caicedo took the penalty and tied the game. In stoppage time, Guilherme Bala was brought down inside the box. The referee, however, did not award the penalty in favor of Flamengo. Thus, the decision on the final spot went to a penalty shootout. The Ecuadorians won 5-4 and qualified for the final.

Flamengo: João Fernando, Matheus França, Gabriel Noga, Otavio, Pablo; Gomes, Richard Rios, Yuri de Oliveira (Carlos Daniel); Guilherme Bala, Yuri Cesar and Wendel. Coach: Phelipe Leal.