Flamengo suffers comeback, falls behind and the decision will be at Maracanã
All tickets for Wednesday are already sold and Maracanã will be packed
By Lucas Dantas - Flamengo Communications - in
The first act of the Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana final didn't end with the best result, but it also didn't decide anything at all. Independiente's 2-1 victory at home this Wednesday put the Argentines ahead, but it's far from irreversible. After a first half in which they took the lead but suffered a comeback and incredible pressure, Flamengo kept the ball on the ground and dominated the second half, narrowly missing any chances. Réver scored for the Mais Querido, while Gigliotti and Mesa scored for Independiente.
It couldn't have started better. If scoring an early goal in a final is the dream of every team in the world, Flamengo did it in the eighth minute. Tracuo accurately hit a free kick that Réver headed past goalkeeper Campaña and opened the scoring. Flamengo maintained the momentum for a few minutes, but little by little, Independiente began to find their footing and pressure the Mais Querido in their own half.
The Argentines missed chances one after the other. César, Juan, and Pará saved Flamengo with the final kick, and after pressing hard, they equalized in the 28th minute with a quick counterattack that ended with Gigliotti's shot, leaving César with no chance. The goal put Flamengo back in the game, and the pressure eased. Flamengo began playing in the opposing half again and threatened Campaña with Vizeu and Everton Ribeiro, but without any major danger, and the first half ended in a 1-1 draw.
Unlike the first half, the second didn't start well, and Independiente scored early. In the eighth minute, Meza took a first-time shot from the edge of the box and fired a beautiful shot past César and turned the game around. Rueda made changes to his team, taking off Lucas Paquetá and replacing him with Everton. The change allowed Flamengo to get into the game and level the playing field. The home side stopped their first-half pressure, and Flamengo gained ground. Rueda then brought on Vinicius Junior for Diego, pushing him further upfield to try to attack.
The superiority just didn't translate into a goal. There were plenty of chances, but the ball just wouldn't go in. Vinicius Junior and Everton, each on their own flank, created opportunities. In the best of them, Everton beat the defender on the left and crossed to Vizeu, who couldn't reach the ball in the 37th minute.
And the game ended with Flamengo on top, but unable to equalize. The final was postponed to the Maracanã next Wednesday.
Want to make a difference in Flamengo's Olympic sports and keep it growing stronger? Contribute, become a Guardian Angel. Visit http://flamengo.com.br/anjodaguarda to learn how.
It couldn't have started better. If scoring an early goal in a final is the dream of every team in the world, Flamengo did it in the eighth minute. Tracuo accurately hit a free kick that Réver headed past goalkeeper Campaña and opened the scoring. Flamengo maintained the momentum for a few minutes, but little by little, Independiente began to find their footing and pressure the Mais Querido in their own half.
The Argentines missed chances one after the other. César, Juan, and Pará saved Flamengo with the final kick, and after pressing hard, they equalized in the 28th minute with a quick counterattack that ended with Gigliotti's shot, leaving César with no chance. The goal put Flamengo back in the game, and the pressure eased. Flamengo began playing in the opposing half again and threatened Campaña with Vizeu and Everton Ribeiro, but without any major danger, and the first half ended in a 1-1 draw.
Unlike the first half, the second didn't start well, and Independiente scored early. In the eighth minute, Meza took a first-time shot from the edge of the box and fired a beautiful shot past César and turned the game around. Rueda made changes to his team, taking off Lucas Paquetá and replacing him with Everton. The change allowed Flamengo to get into the game and level the playing field. The home side stopped their first-half pressure, and Flamengo gained ground. Rueda then brought on Vinicius Junior for Diego, pushing him further upfield to try to attack.
The superiority just didn't translate into a goal. There were plenty of chances, but the ball just wouldn't go in. Vinicius Junior and Everton, each on their own flank, created opportunities. In the best of them, Everton beat the defender on the left and crossed to Vizeu, who couldn't reach the ball in the 37th minute.
And the game ended with Flamengo on top, but unable to equalize. The final was postponed to the Maracanã next Wednesday.
Want to make a difference in Flamengo's Olympic sports and keep it growing stronger? Contribute, become a Guardian Angel. Visit http://flamengo.com.br/anjodaguarda to learn how.