In the Conmebol Libertadores debut, Flamengo started its quest for the fourth title on the right foot by beating Deportivo Táchira 1-0, on Thursday night (3), at the Pueblo Nuevo stadium, in Venezuela. With a goal from Juninho, Mengão returns to Brazil with three points and the lead in Group C. 

The game
The match began with both teams closely studying each other. The battle was to see which team could retain more possession. Gradually, Flamengo exchanged passes in the attacking half, and created their first threat in the 10th minute. After a pass into the box, Michael disrupted the opposing defense, and the ball fell to Luiz Araújo, who fired wide. 

In the 18th minute, Bruno Henrique was sent through on a long ball and tried to dribble past the goalkeeper, who blocked the play. The ball fell to Michael, who passed it back to the number 27. He shot again, but Camargo made another save. Michael then delivered a great pass to Luiz Araújo, who crossed the ball for another good save from the goalkeeper. 

The Mais Querido conceded a dangerous free kick just outside the box in the 35th minute. Erick stepped up to take the shot and sent it over the bar. The first half ended goalless in Venezuela. Flamengo dominated the action but failed to break through Táchira's defense, which crowded the edge of the box to hinder the red-and-black team's penetration. 

In the second half, the red-and-black team dominated the attacking half and exchanged passes in the midfield. In the 10th minute, Filipe Luís made three changes to the team. Ayrton Lucas, De La Cruz, and Michael were replaced by Alex Sandro, Allan, and Juninho, respectively.

And the changes paid off! Mengão opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Cebolinha reached the baseline and crossed into the box, Bruno Henrique headed it to Juninho, who chested it into the back of the net: 1-0. 

After the goal, Mais Querido continued to play the ball in attack. Táchira, for its part, also pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but the red-and-black defense managed to neutralize the Venezuelan team's moves. In the final minutes, Mengão managed to control the result to its advantage and secured the victory in its debut in the continental competition. 

Flamengo
Rossi; Varela, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Alex Sandro); Erick, De La Cruz (Allan) and Luiz Araújo; Everton Cebolinha (João Victor), Michael (Juninho) and Bruno Henrique (Wallace Yan).
Coach: Filipe Luís.

Deportivo Tachira
Camargo; Rosales, Vivas, Maidana and Camacho; Requena, Tamiche (Castillo), Cova (Cano), Carlos Sosa (Ortíz) and Saggiomo; Bryan Castillo (Balza).
Coach: Edgar Pérez Greco.

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Sunday (6) to face Vitória, at 18:30 pm, at Barradão, for the second round of the Brasileirão.

Technical sheet
Deportivo Táchira 0x1 Flamengo – 1st Round of Group C of the Conmebol Libertadores
Location: Pueblo Nuevo Stadium, San Cristóbal (VEN)
Date and time: 03/04/2025 at 21:30 am
Referee: Gery Vargas (Bolivia), Jose Antelo (Bolivia) and Edwar Saavedra (Bolivia)
Yellow cards: Rosales (TAC), Cova (TAC), Léo Pereira (FLA), Camacho (TAC), Requena (TAC)
Goal: Juninho (12'2nd half).

GAME OVER IN VENEZUELA!
With a goal from Juninho, Flamengo wins its debut 1-0 and takes the lead in the group!#VAMOSFLAMENGO! pic.twitter.com/6z0heskerb

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) April 4, 2025