The Libertadores knockout stage has begun! On Thursday night (3), Flamengo beat Olimpia (PAR) 1-0 at Maracanã, in the first leg of the round of XNUMX of the continental competition. Bruno Henrique, after a perfect cross from Gabi, scored the goal that sealed the red-black victory.

With this result, Mengão will have the advantage of a draw in the second leg, in Paraguay, to advance to the next stage. 

The game

The start of the match was marked by intense competition for possession. Flamengo attempted to attack but were thwarted by fouls. Olimpia, on the other hand, adopted a strategy of waiting for Flamengo to stay behind the midfield line and attempt counterattacks. 

Looking for space, the Red-Blacks moved the ball around the opposing midfield and struggled to create penetrative plays. In the 21st minute, Ayrton Lucas received the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful shot. The goalkeeper deflected it for a corner.

In the final minutes, Gerson received the ball at the edge of the box, beat the defender, and unleashed a powerful shot. The ball deflected off the defense, forcing the goalkeeper to stretch to prevent the goal. Olimpia's only real chance came in the 45th minute, when González hit a ball into the red-and-black box, hitting Matheus Cunha's crossbar. The first half ended goalless.

Mengão came out swinging in the second half and had the nation celebrating just two minutes in. Gabi received the ball on the right, cleared the play, and crossed perfectly for Bruno Henrique to rise and head home unmarked to open the scoring: 1-0.

After the goal, the red-and-black team continued to attack, dominating possession. Olimpia barely made it past midfield. In the 20th minute, Everton Ribeiro took a free kick into the box, and David Luiz headed it powerfully, but Espinola made a great save.

In the 30th minute, Arrascaeta found Bruno Henrique in the box; the striker beat a defender and shot just to the right of the post. A fine move by the red-and-black team. In the final stretch, the Mais Querido maintained control of the ball in the attacking half and managed to control the result to leave the field with an important victory, which gives them the advantage of a draw in the return leg in Paraguay.

Next appointment

The Most Beloved returns to the field next Sunday (6), when they face Cuiabá, at 20 pm, at Arena Pantanal, for the 18th round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo

Matheus Cunha; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Ayrton Lucas; Allan (Thiago Maia), Gerson and Arrascaeta (Cebolinha); Everton Ribeiro (Victor Hugo), Bruno Henrique and Gabi.

Coach: Jorge Sampaoli.

Olimpia

Espinola; Alejandro Silva (Salazar), Romaña, Gamarra and Zabala; Ortiz, Marcos Gómez (Ramon Martínez), Cardozo (Diego Torres) and Iván Torres; Fernández (Quintana) and Walter González (Montenegro).

Technician: Francisco Arce. 

Technical sheet

Flamengo 1x0 Olimpia (PAR) - Round of XNUMX of the Conmebol Libertadores - First leg
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date and time: 03/08/2023 at 21:XNUMX PM
Referees: Dario Herrera (ARG), Juan Belatti (ARG) and Martin Soppi (URU)
Yellow cards: Allan (FLA), Bruno Henrique (FLA), Iván Torres (OLI), Fernández (OLI), Ortiz (OLI) and Salazar (OLI)
Goal: Bruno Henrique (FLA).

The match is over at the Maracanã! MENGÃO beat Olimpia 1-0 with a goal from Bruno Henrique in the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of XNUMX! The return leg is next week in Paraguay! #CRF #Let's Flamengo #VeLoBrilhar pic.twitter.com/o9qJFhSwm9

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) August 4, 2023

❤️? https://t.co/8M8NDvGKkp

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) August 4, 2023