Flamengo dropped its first points in the 2010 Copa Santander Libertadores. Despite dominating much of the match, the Red-Blacks were defeated by Universidad de Chile, 2-1, in Santiago. Vargas and Seymour scored for the Chileans, and Rodrigo Alvim pulled one back for Flamengo. The two teams will face each other again on April 7th at the Maracanã stadium.

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With the result, "La U" remains undefeated and takes first place in Group 8 with seven points. Flamengo is second with six. The defeat was only the red-and-black team's second setback of the season. The first was against next Sunday's opponent, Botafogo, in the Guanabara Cup semifinal.

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Punishment at the end
It was a tense 45 minutes, with numerous misplaced passes, Flamengo dominating possession, and few clear-cut scoring chances. The first half of Wednesday's match was a rollercoaster for both Flamengo and Universidad de Chile. The first to scare the team from Gávea was Adriano, who hit the crossbar with a seemingly unpretentious header in the sixth minute.

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Even playing away from home, the Mais Querido (Team of the Year) were superior and continued to pursue the three points, but they were plagued by their own mistakes. Kleberson and Vagner Love were two of the team's defining moments. While they made great plays, they also misplaced simple passes. Between back and forth, in the 33rd minute, Love nearly scored with a header, and three minutes later, Adriano shot dangerously from outside the box. However, it was "La U" who ultimately opened the scoring. Cheered on by their packed fans, the Chilean team made it 1-0 in the 42nd minute, with Vargas, who rose alone through the red-and-black defense, heading home.

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Cold shower
Flamengo's response came quickly, shortly after halftime. Andrade didn't change his team, but the team showed a different attitude than at the end of the first half. Just six minutes into the second half, Vagner Love shot past the goalkeeper, and after a rebound, the ball fell to Rodrigo Alvim, who scored his second goal in the Libertadores and tied the match.

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The Flamengo celebration, however, was short-lived. Three minutes later, Seymour took a shot from distance, Bruno jumped back, and "La U" retook the lead: 2-1. Flamengo sensed a goal, and Andrade decided to make changes. He took off Kleberson and Pacheco to bring on Fierro and Pet. But to no avail. The score remained unchanged, and the team from Gávea lost its first match in the international competition.

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UNIVERSITY OF CHILE 2 x 1 FLAMENGO

Stadium: Monumental, in Santiago, Chile.
Order date: 17 / 03 / 2010.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (URU).
Auxiliaries:  Pablo Fandiño (URU) and Mauricio Espinosa (URU)

Goals: Vargas in the 42nd minute of the first half; Rodrigo Alvim in the fifth; Felipe Seymour in the ninth minute of the second half.
Yellow cards: Vargas (University of Chile); Álvaro, Fierro (Flamengo)

College: Conde, Jose Contreras, Mauricio Victorino, Rafael Olarra and Matías Rodríguez; Felipe Seymour, Estrada (Nelson Pinto), Valter Montillo, Edson Puch; Olivera and Vargas (Fernandez). Technical: Gerardo Peluso
Flamengo: Bruno; Léo Moura, Álvaro, Fabrício and Juan; Rodrigo Alvim, Willians, Kleberson (Fierro) and Vinícius Pacheco (Petkovic); Vagner Love and Adriano. Technical: Andrade