Flamengo failed to beat Santa Fe this Wednesday in the third round of Group 4 of the Conmebol Libertadores, suffering an unfair draw in front of a silent Maracanã, with no support from the fans. Due to the punishments imposed by Conmebol, Flamengo played its second match behind closed doors, resulting in its second draw in the competition. The two teams will meet again next Wednesday (25), in Bogotá (Colombia). 

The nation was distant tonight. The silence in the Maracanã was broken only by the shouts of the players and the conversations of journalists and other professionals involved in the match. Flamengo entered the field energized by the celebrations of the previous day and went on the attack against Santa Fé, determined to secure the result. And at seven minutes, Diego took a corner kick, goalkeeper Zapata failed to stop it, and Dourado was there to score for the sixth time wearing the Sacred Mantle, which was debuting its new design tonight. 

Flamengo completely dominated the game. At 26 minutes, they had a great chance to extend their lead. The referee awarded an indirect free kick in the Colombian penalty area. Diego took the kick, but his powerful shot went over the goal. And the team was punished at 30 minutes. On the counter-attack, the Colombians equalized, taking advantage of a mistake in Flamengo's build-up play. Plata found Morelo unmarked in the area, and the score was tied.

The goal impacted the team, which reduced its intensity, but still had a good opportunity to score. In the 42nd minute, Dourado received a cross from Paquetá and tried a first-time shot, but the ball went wide of the goal, and the teams went to the locker room with the score tied. 

The second half began at a different pace. Flamengo returned working the ball more and waiting for the best opportunity. Mauricio Barbieri made substitutions, bringing on Willian Arão and Lincoln in place of Everton Ribeiro and Henrique Dourado, respectively. The first shot took a while to come, only at 13 minutes, with Vinicius Junior, but the ball went wide to the right of Zapata's goal. Two minutes later, the same Vinicius crossed perfectly for Lincoln, completely unmarked, but Tesillo prevented the ball from reaching the striker for a sure goal.  

At 20 minutes, another good opportunity. Diego took a corner kick, the goalkeeper parried it again, and Lincoln shot. The ball went into the middle of the area, where Vinicius controlled it and shot, but over the goal. Arão also had his chance after a free kick taken by Diego, but headed wide.

The ball stubbornly refused to go in. A real blitz happened at the 30-minute mark. In yet another mistake by Zapata after a corner kick, the ball was left loose in the area. Réver shot, there was a rebound, Lincoln tried, and the defense cleared it almost on the line, sending it out for a corner. From the corner, Paquetá headed the ball, and Soto saved it under the crossbar. Another rebound, and Juan shot towards the goal. Soto, again, saved it, and the referee awarded a free kick, relieving the Colombians. 

At 42 minutes, the goal celebration was stuck in his throat. Diego broke through on the left and took a placed shot, but Zapata made a great save, preventing the winning goal. The ball didn't go in and Flamengo drew their second home game in the competition, now totaling five points. River Plate and Emelec play on Thursday in Ecuador, and the Argentinians could equal them in points at the top of the table if they win.