In the second round of the Libertadores group stage, Flamengo ended up being defeated by Central Córdoba (ARG) by 2 to 1 this Wednesday (9), at Maracanã. De La Cruz, from a free kick, scored the only goal for Flamengo in the match. The Mais Querido had control of possession throughout the game, but came up against the closed defense of the Argentine team. 

The game
The ball started rolling with Flamengo already on the attack. In the first minute, Plata won the ball back in midfield, flicked it past his marker, and passed it to Juninho, who advanced toward goal but shot straight at the Córdoba defender. 

In Central Córdoba's first attack, Cufré took a shot from outside the box, forcing Rossi to make a good save, palming it out for a corner. In the 11th minute, the red-and-black team created another threat. Arrascaeta played a one-two with Plata, dribbled past his marker, and shot into the corner, but the goalkeeper saved. 

Three minutes later, De La Cruz took a free kick into the box, and Léo Ortiz deflected it into the net, forcing Aguerre to make another save. In the 20th minute, after consulting VAR, the referee awarded a penalty for Léo Pereira's handball in the box. Heredia stepped up to take the shot and beat Rossi, opening the scoring at the Maracanã. 

Needing to turn the score around, Flamengo went all out on the attack, moving the ball around to try to create space in Córdoba's defense. In the 35th minute, Bruno Henrique was brought down inside the box, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. But he reconsidered and awarded a free kick just outside the box. Léo Pereira's shot went over the wall, and the ball grazed the post. 

Central Córdoba extended their lead in the 43rd minute. After a free kick in the box, Florentín rose alone to score the second for the Argentine team: 2-0. The first half ended with the Rubro-Negro having to reverse the result.

Upon returning for the second half, Filipe Luís immediately made three changes to the team. Varela, Evertton Araújo, and Juninho were replaced by Wesley, Erick Pulgar, and Gerson. With these substitutions, Flamengo began to attack the Argentine team even more, seeking to score the first goal. 

As they approached Central's penalty area, the red-and-black team struggled to break into the box due to the Argentines' strong block. Until the 15th minute, Mengão pulled one back through De La Cruz. The Uruguayan fired a fine free kick into the goalkeeper's top corner. A stunning goal!

The game was wide open. Flamengo tried to maintain its attacking intensity, while Córdoba defended and exploited counterattacks. Almost 30 minutes in, after nearly seven months out of action, forward Pedro came on in place of Alex Sandro. 

In the final minutes, the red-and-black team went all out to try and at least equalize, but they couldn't. The game ended with a defeat at Maracanã.

Flamengo
Rossi; Varela (Wesley), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro (Pedro); Evertton Araujo (Erick), De La Cruz and Arrascaeta (Luiz Araujo); Plata, Bruno Henrique and Juninho (Gerson).
Coach: Filipe Luís.

Central Córdoba
Hold on; Moyano (Pillud), Abascia, Rivero and Cufré (Casermeiro); Galván, Iván Gómez (Cristóforo) and José Florentín; Perelló (Martínez), Heredia and Angulo (Verón).
Coach: Omar De Felippe.

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Sunday (13) to face Grêmio, at 17:30 pm, at Arena do Grêmio, in the third round of the Brasileirão.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 1x2 Central Córdoba – 2nd Round of Group C of the Conmebol Libertadores
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 09/04/2025 at 21:30 am
Referees: Cristian Garay (Chile), Alejandro Molina (Chile) and Claudio Urrutia (Chile)
Yellow cards: Moyano (CCO), Heredia (CCO), Erick Pulgar (FLA), Abascia (CCO), Galván (CCO), De La Cruz (FLA) and Angulo (CCO)
Goals: Heredia (23'1ºT), José Florentín (43'1ºT) and De La Cruz (15'2ºT).