In the final round of the Libertadores group stage, Flamengo beat Sporting Cristal 2-1 on Tuesday night (24), at Maracanã. Mengão's goals were scored by Madrid (own goal) and Pedro. With the victory, Mengão ends the first phase at the top of Group H and, depending on the result of the River Plate match, could end with the second best campaign in the tournament.

The game
Flamengo started the match looking to attack in the opening minutes. In the 3rd minute, Marinho received the ball on the left and passed it low to Pedro in the middle of the box. He pivoted and passed it to Gabi, who sent the ball over the bar.

Flamengo continued to dominate possession and exchange passes in the attacking half. Sporting Cristal, on the other hand, played a low line, making it difficult for Flamengo to penetrate the area. In the 27th minute, João Gomes fed Marinho at the edge of the box, who set up a left-footed pass and unleashed a powerful shot. The goalkeeper parried the ball, preventing the goal.

In the 29th minute, Mengão opened the scoring! David Luiz launched a pass, the ball deflected off an opponent and reached Isla on the right side of the box. The full-back controlled the ball, beat goalkeeper Alejandro Duarte, and the ball deflected off Madrid before going in: 1-0.

In the closing stages of the first half, Pedro provided a good pass to Lázaro, who shot first time, but the goalkeeper made the save. The Mais Querido (Most Beloved) went into the break ahead.

Early in the second half, Pedro, from a long way out, tried to lob the goalkeeper, but the ball went wide. In the 13th minute, Lázaro received the ball on the left side of the box and fired a low cross, but his shot went straight at the goalkeeper.

In the 28th minute, Mengão extended their lead at the Maraca! Andreas took a free kick from the left and the ball went to Pedro, who headed it stylishly into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Following a corner kick from Andreas, David Luiz headed the ball to the far post, but the goalkeeper saved it, and it hit the crossbar. Flamengo nearly scored a third. In the 39th minute, Sporting Cristal pulled one back with Christofer González, who crossed the ball into Hugo's left corner to make it 2-1.

In the final minutes, Flamengo still tried to score a third, but there was no time for anything else. With this result, the Mais Querido ends the Libertadores group stage with 16 points and atop Group H.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Sunday (29) to face Fluminense, at 18 pm, at Maracanã, for the eighth round of the Brasileirão.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x1 Sporting Cristal – 6th Round of the Libertadores Group Stage
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 24/05/2022 at 21:30 pm
Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
Assistants: Carlos Lopez (VEN) and Jackson Diaz (VEN)
Yellow cards: Távara (SCR), João Gomes (FLA) and Yotún (SCR)
Goals: Madrid (own goal 29'1st half), Pedro (28'2nd half) and Christofer Gonzáles (39'2nd half)

Flamengo lineup
Hugo; Isla (Rodinei), David Luiz, Pablo and Ayrton Lucas; João Gomes (Andreas), Thiago Maia, Lázaro (Victor Hugo) and Marinho (Bruno Henrique); Gabi and Pedro.
Coach: Paulo Sousa.

Sporting Cristal lineup
Alejandro Duarte; Madrid, Chávez, Merlo and Loyola; Calcaterra (Leandro Sosa), Távara (Castillo), Lora and Christofer Gonzáles; Yotún and Avila (Grimaldo).
Coach: Roberto Mosquera.

Game over at Maracanã! Mengão beat Sporting Cristal 2-1 with goals from Madrid (own goal) and Pedro, and close out the CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage with a victory. #CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/CqS4SJeSJW

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 25, 2022