In the penultimate round of the Libertadores group stage, Flamengo beat LDU 2-2 on Wednesday night (19), at Maracanã. The red-black goals were scored by Pedro and Gustavo Henrique. With the result, Mais Querido guaranteed early qualification for the round of 16 of the competition.

The game
Flamengo started the first half looking to attack, and just four minutes in, they had their first good opportunity. Gabi passed the ball to Gerson, who hit the post with a first-time shot. In the 15th minute, Arão was sent off, leaving the Red-Blacks with ten men.

Despite being outnumbered, Mengão managed to maintain possession for longer. In the 31st minute, Mengão opened the scoring through persistence and determination. Matheuzinho crossed into the box, but the defense partially cleared it. Pedro battled the defender, outplayed him, and tapped the ball home: 1-0.

Three minutes later, LDU equalized with Guerra, with a header: 1-1. The first half ended with the score tied.

In the second half, coach Rogério Ceni took off Léo Pereira and Gabi, bringing on Ramon and Bruno Henrique, respectively. Despite the improvement, the red-and-black team was turned around in the 14th minute, with Jhojan Julio scoring to make it 2-1.

Trailing on the scoreboard, Flamengo launched an attack. In the 24th minute, Matheuzinho cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot, which Gabbarini made a great save.

After so much insistence, Fla tied the match in the 42nd minute. Arrascaeta took a free kick into the box, Gustavo Henrique rose to the third floor, headed it into the net and decreed the tie, sealing the red-black's qualification for the round of 16 of the Libertadores: 2-2.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Saturday (22) to face Fluminense, at 21:05 pm, at Maracanã. The classic is worth the title of the 2021 Carioca Championship.

Flamengo lineup
Gabriel Batista; Gustavo Henrique, Bruno Viana and Léo Pereira (Ramon); Matheuzinho, Willian Arão, Gerson (Diego), Everton Ribeiro (João Gomes) and Vitinho (Arrascaeta); Gabi (Bruno Henrique) and Pedro.
Coach: Rogério Ceni.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x2 LDU (Libertadores, 5th Round – Group G)
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date: 19 / 05 / 2021
Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
Assistants: Lubin Torrealba (VEN) and Tulio Moreno (VEM)
Yellow cards: Cruz (LDU), Gerson (FLA), Bruno Henrique (FLA) and Quintero (LDU)
Red card: Willian Arão (FLA)
Goals: Pedro (31'1st half), Guerra (34'1st half), Jhojan Julio (14'2nd half) and Gustavo Henrique (42'2nd half).