BuzzFla - Flamengo x Emelec: the history of the Conmebol Libertadores
The duel has been a constant in recent years, and with a great track record for us. Check it out below.
By Lucas Dantas - in
Flamengo and Emelec are a historic match in the Libertadores. They've already met five times in the competition, all in the group stage, and we have a great record in our favor. For this Wednesday, we need another positive result. A simple 1-0 win puts us in the second phase of the CONMEBOL Libertadores with an early lead. It would turn the last game against River Plate into a battle for first place. We've reviewed the matches against them in Rio and Ecuador below, hoping to expand this record for the next BuzzFla.
1. The numbers
A curious fact about this duel is that there has never been a draw. And more than that, in only one game did either team fail to score. Flamengo and Emelec guarantee goals on the field and tight matches. The teams first faced each other in 2012. After the first match, it became more common. Check out the scores.
14/03/2018 - Flamengo 2 X 1 Emelec(ECU) - George Capwell/Guaiaquil/ECU - (Vinicius Junior [2])
02/04/2014 - Flamengo 2 X 1 Emelec(ECU) - George Capwell/Guayaquil/ECU - (Alecsandro, Paulinho)
26/02/2014 - Flamengo 3 X 1 Emelec(ECU) - Maracana/Rio de Janeiro/RJ - (Elano, Hernane, Everton)
04/04/2012 - Flamengo 2 X 3 Emelec(ECU) - George Capwell/Guaiaquil/ECU - (Leonardo Moura and Deivid)
08/03/2012 - Flamengo 1 X 0 Emelec(ECU) - Engenhão/Rio de Janeiro/RJ -(Vagner Love)
2. The first meeting
In 2012, Flamengo vs. Emelec faced off for the first time in South America's premier continental competition. The venue was Nilton Santos Stadium, in the group stage. Only one goal, and a great one at that. Vagner Love played a beautiful one-two with Ronaldinho Gaúcho and fired a shot from the edge of the box, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. It was the winning goal in the first home match in Group 2, which also included Lanús and Olimpia.
In the second round, the teams faced each other in Ecuador, and they won. Their only victory in history.
3. Now at Maracanã
Two years later, Flamengo vs. Emelec faced off again. This time in Group 7, with Bolívar and Léon also sharing the bracket. Flamengo prevailed in both matches. The first, at Maracanã, was a spectacle both on and off the field. More than 35 people in the stands watched the 3-1 victory on the pitch, with goals from Elano, Hernane, and Everton. And Elano's goal, which opened the victory, was a stunning goal. A masterful free kick, right on the edge of the box, watched by Zico, who was in the crowd.
Flamengo played a fantastic game that night. In the second half, Hernane extended the lead before the hour mark. André Santos quickly got down the baseline and crossed perfectly for Brocador to extend the lead. It was his penultimate goal for the Manto, and the striker sent hearts to the fans in celebration.
4. And there in their house too
In the return leg, Mais Querido went to George Capwell to seek a much-needed victory after losing the previous match. And it came. In the first half, Alecsandro opened the scoring with a perfect penalty kick. Emelec equalized, and a draw, even considering the round and away from home, was a good result. But in the 46th minute, Negueba spotted Paulinho breaking through alone and launched a precise pass. The striker controlled the ball, and Emelec then scored the winning goal.
5. Vinicius' show
Four years passed until the next meeting in the competition. And it was again at George Capwell, their home ground. The result? Also the same: 2-1. But the memorable part of this match was Vinicius Junior's performance. The "Boy from the Nest" ended the match in the second half. They took the lead in the 19th minute. The stadium ignited. Vini came on for Everton Ribeiro two minutes later, and it took another 10 minutes to equalize. The star made an individual play, passed three players, and finished to level the score. But he wasn't satisfied. In the 40th minute, he led a counterattack, exchanged passes with Diego, and fired a precise shot into the corner, beating the Ecuadorian goalkeeper. Want to relive it? Check out FlaTV's behind-the-scenes coverage of the goals and much more from that match.
And now, this Wednesday, a new chapter in this story. Flamengo vs. Emelec, for the fourth round of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, at 21:45 p.m., at the Maracanã. Will Vinicius Junior be putting on another show? Will there be a great goal? Will there be an item for us to feature in the next BuzzFla? Let's go, Flamengo!