Flamengo will need a strong performance in Chile next Thursday to make history and advance to the semifinals of the Copa Santander Libertadores da América. The red-and-black team failed to play its best football this Wednesday at the Maracanã stadium, and was stunned by Universidad de Chile. With goals from Victorino, Olarra, and Fernandez, the visitors beat the team from Gávea 3-2. Adriano and Juan scored for Flamengo.

The result means the Chileans can draw or even lose by a single goal at the Santa Laura stadium. A 1-0 or 2-1 victory for Flamengo will qualify for "La U." Flamengo, in turn, needs to win by two goals, or by one goal if they score four or more goals. If Flamengo wins 3-2, the game goes to penalties.

"We can win by two goals away from home," Petkovic summed up at the end of the match.

Goalkeeper Bruno joined the Serbian midfielder's chorus and showed confidence.

"There's no way around it. We have to seek qualification away from home," he concluded.

Fright followed by hope
The game started off dramatic for Flamengo. Much of the Flamengo fans, who had bought all their tickets for the match, hadn't even entered the field when the first goal of the game had already been scored. However, to the fans' dismay, it was Chilean. Just four minutes in, Victorino pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired a powerful shot past Bruno, opening the scoring. It wasn't enough to discourage the nation, who continued to sing.

Time passed, and coach Rogério Lourenço felt the team needed more attacking play and decided to bring on Michael for Rômulo after just 20 minutes. However, it was "La U" who scored again. In the 24th minute, Bruno was unable to clear an aerial ball, and defender Olarra headed in the second. The fans felt the blow. Flamengo did too. The Chilean team controlled the game until there was a glimmer of hope.

In the 38th minute, Kleberson delivered a beautiful cross to Adriano, who headed it in from the ground to score Flamengo's first goal. The goal galvanized the team. In the 41st minute, the Emperor, again with a header, nearly added another. Two minutes later, he again had a good chance, but sent it over the bar. And in the final minutes, another boost for the Nation: in the 46th minute, Iturra brought down Willians and received a second yellow card, leaving Flamengo with a man up. Before the end, Vagner Love missed a great chance to equalize.

Decision is up to Chile
The expectation for the second half, therefore, was that the team would come out on top and score an equalizer in the opening minutes. To achieve this, coach Rogério Lourenço took off Maldonado and brought on Pet. But, just like in the first half, it was the Chilean team who found the net. In the second minute, Montillo made a great play down the left and found Fernandez free in the middle of the box. He only tapped the ball in, complicating the red-and-blacks' mission: 3-1 and silence at the Maracanã.

Flamengo then launched an attack with sheer determination. Seeking a goal, the team pushed forward but failed to create clear-cut opportunities. In the third minute, Petkovic hit the post, and in the 12th minute, David, Adriano, and Love nearly scored in a rebound from the penalty area. After that, the team tried to attack by shooting from distance and passing the ball into the box. That's why Dênis Marques came on in the 28th minute, replacing Kleberson.

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The red-and-black smothering continued and only paid off in the 44th minute. Juan took a shot from outside the box; the ball deflected off the Chilean defense, fooled the goalkeeper, and calmly found the back of the net. The goal gave Flamengo renewed energy, and they will need to win 2-0 in Chile to advance.

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TECHNICAL SHEET
FLAMENGO 2 X 3 UNIVERSITY OF CHILE

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Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 12/5/2010 - 19:30 PM
Referee: Carlos Amarilla
Auxiliaries:
Yellow Cards: Iturra, Vargas, Bruno, Juan, David
Red Cards: Iturra

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GOALS: Victorino 4'/1st half (0-1), Olarra 23'/1st half (0-2), Adriano 38'/1st half (1-2), Fernandez 2'/2nd half (1-3), Juan (2-3)

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FLAMENGO: Bruno; Léo Moura, David, Angelim and Juan; Romulo (Michael - 20'/1st half), Maldonado (Petkovic - half-time), Willians and Kleberson (Dênis Marques - 28'/2nd half); Adriano and Vagner Love. Coach: Rogério Lourenço.

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Coach: Gerardo Pelusso.