With a brace from Bruno Henrique, Flamengo defeats Barcelona (EQU) and opens up an advantage in the Libertadores semi-finals
The match marked the Nation's reunion with the team in the South American competition
By Flamengo Communication - in
On March 11, 2020, Flamengo defeated Barcelona de Guayaquil 2-0 in the CONMEBOL Libertadores Group Stage. It was the last time Flamengo pushed the team at the Maracanã stadium in a Libertadores match. After 553 days, fate would have it that the rematch would be against the Ecuadorian team. And it was another night of celebration. Flamengo won 2-0 and took the lead in the semifinals of the South American competition. The return leg will be next Wednesday (September 29th) in Guayaquil. Flamengo can lose by up to one goal and still qualify for the final.
If it was excitement the nation wanted, it got plenty in the first half. Early on, Diego Alves made two great saves in the same play, preventing a certain Barcelona goal. Spurred on by the fans, who never stopped supporting the team, Flamengo leveled the score and soon dominated. In the 22nd minute, Gabi provided a masterful pass for Bruno Henrique, who headed in to make it 1-0.
With the score open, it was all Flamengo. Bruno Henrique hit the crossbar with a header, and Andreas Pereira nearly scored a stunning goal from outside the box – his shot hit the crossbar. The second goal was only a matter of time, and it came in the 38th minute, again from Bruno Henrique. A stunning goal, after a great collective effort, with Everton Ribeiro Ribeiro, Gabi, and Vitinho participating. In both goals, Bruno Henrique paid tribute to the child his wife is expecting, the couple's second. Before the end of the first half, Molinas received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Barcelona ten men down.
Flamengo returned to the second half with confidence, and it didn't take long for Renato Gaúcho to make changes. In one fell swoop, he removed David Luiz and Vitinho and brought on Léo Pereira and Thiago Maia. The defender, impeccable in his debut, was applauded by the nation. With an extra man, Flamengo slowed down. Renato Gaúcho made five changes, but the score remained unchanged. In the end, Léo Pereira was sent off.
Flamengo returns to the field on Sunday, this time for the Brazilian Championship. The team faces América-MG in Belo Horizonte at 11 a.m.
TECHNICAL SHEET
FLAMENGO Coach - Renato Gaucho.
BARCELONA (EQU) - Burrai, Castillo, León, Riveiros and Pineida; Molina, Piñatares (Sergio López), Preciado (Perlaza), Martínez (Montaño) and Damian Diaz (Carcelén); Mastriani (Garcéz). TECHNICAL - Fabián Bustos.
JUDGE - Andrés Cunha (Uruguay)
GOALS - First half: Bruno Henrique (22' and 38')
YELLOW CARDS - Molina, Castillo, Rodrigo Caio
RED CARDS - Molina and Léo Pereira