In the Libertadores debut, Flamengo took the lead, but ended up being defeated by Aucas 2-1 on Wednesday night (5), at the Gonzalo Pozo Stadium, in Quito, Ecuador. Matheus França scored the red-black goal in the match. With the defeat, Rubro-Negro breaks a streak of 14 games of invincibility away from home in the continental competition.

The game
With a significantly changed lineup, Flamengo began the match seeking possession in the attacking half. Aucas had the first chance to score in the 10th minute. Otero took a free kick straight at goal, goalkeeper Santos palmed it away with his fingertips, and the ball hit the crossbar.

In the 22nd minute, Mengão created a threat for the first time. Victor Hugo passed to Everton Ribeiro in the box; the number 7 cut the ball, and the ball went to Gabi. The striker turned and shot, but the goalkeeper saved. In the 33rd minute, Marinho cleared the marker and took a shot from outside the box, but the ball sailed over the goal.

In the final stretch of the first half, Mais Querido opened the scoring with a stunning goal! Matheus França beat two defenders, burst into the box, dribbled past another defender, and fired a low shot into the back of the net: 1-0. The red-and-black team went into halftime with the advantage.

Aucas returned for the second half with a different approach, pressing Flamengo's ball out. In the 12th minute, the home side equalized with Eryc Castillo, who led a counterattack, dribbled past the defense, and fired a low shot into Santos' right corner: 1-1.  

After conceding the equalizer, coach Vitor Pereira made three substitutions to breathe new life into the team. Gerson, Ayrton Lucas, and Varela replaced Vidal, Marinho, and Wesley, respectively. In the 20th minute, Aucas managed to score a second, but after consulting VAR, the referee ruled Eryc Castillo fouled Varela and disallowed the goal.

In the 39th minute, Aucas turned the score around. On a quick counterattack, Cuero passed to Ordoñez. Goalkeeper Santos tried to get ahead of him, but the striker tapped the ball over the bar to make it 2-1.

Flamengo pushed hard in search of an equalizer in the closing stages. In the 42nd minute, Varela crossed into the box and Gabi headed dangerously, forcing the goalkeeper to put it out for a corner. The red-and-black team fought until the last minute but ended up losing in Quito, snapping a 14-game unbeaten streak away from home in the Libertadores.

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Sunday (9) to face Fluminense, at 18 pm, at Maracanã, for the second leg of the Cariocão final.

Flamengo lineup
Santos; Wesley (Varela), Pablo, Rodrigo Caio and Filipe Luis; Vidal (Gerson), Victor Hugo and Everton Ribeiro (Pedro); Marinho (Ayrton Lucas), Matheus França (Everton Cebolinha) and Gabi.
Coach: Vitor Pereira.

Aucas lineup
Galíndez; Perlaza (Cano), Aubrey David, Cangá and Cuero; Quiñónez, Vega (Carcelén), Edison Caicedo (Mina), Otero and Eryc Castillo (Rezabala); Cifuente (Ordonez).
Coach: César Farías.

Technical sheet
Aucas 2x1 Flamengo – 1st Round of Group A of the Conmebol Libertadores
Location: Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium
Date and time: 05/04/2023 at 19:XNUMX pm (Brasília time)
Referee: Jose Argote (VEN), Lubin Torrealba (VEN) and Freiker Colmenares (VEN)
Yellow cards: Pablo (FLA), Vidal (FLA), Cangá (AUC), Wesley (FLA) and Eryc Castillo (AUC)
Goals: Matheus França (38'1st half), Eryc Castillo (12'2nd half) and Ordoñez (39'2nd half).