Flamengo and River Plate are old acquaintances in international competitions. But in the Copa Libertadores da América, the teams have only met once. In 1982, the derby took place in the semifinal stage, with two high-scoring duels, and the red-and-black team ultimately winning. And that was it. Never again in the history of the competition have the two faced each other. Now, almost 36 years later, the meeting is repeated. 

There at their house

The 1982 Copa Libertadores was different. As the defending champion, Flamengo entered the semifinals directly, in a group with River Plate and Peñarol (Uruguay), who had finished first in their previous groups.

The first match between Flamengo and River was at the Monumental de Nunez in Buenos Aires, on Friday night, October 22, 1982. The "Millonarios" stadium, in the Belgrano neighborhood, was packed. The atmosphere was like a classic Libertadores Cup from the 1980s. hinchada River was pressing for their first Libertadores, as Boca already had two. Starting with a win in the group would be a huge step toward qualifying for the final, in addition to practically eliminating Flamengo. They just forgot to agree with Zico and company. 

Under heavy rain, Flamengo ignored the pressure from the stands and pushed forward. In the 11th minute, Zico passed to Wilsinho on the right. The winger dispossessed Saporiti and shot into the box, where Lico was waiting to open the scoring and silence the stadium for the first time. The first half then became a battle between the world champions and an Argentine team eager to honor their jersey in front of their passionate fans. However, Flamengo went into the locker room with the advantage. 

The second half arrived, the fans were incredibly excited, and River went on the attack but opened up their defense. In the fifth minute, Zico picked up the ball in midfield, placed it between Tarantini's legs, and shot from the edge of the box, leaving goalkeeper Puentedura with no chance. It was the second time Flamengo had silenced the Monumental. 

River was going for it. Flamengo was coming off a loss in the first leg against Peñarol and needed to maintain their victory. Or extend their lead. And just when it seemed like everything would end as it was, Lico stole the ball from the defense, passed it to Marinho, who shot like a winger down the left, saw Nunes running free in the middle, and tapped it in. The "Decisive Gunner" finished with a perfect finish, in his signature style, sealing the victory in the 44th minute of the second half. 

The second round of group play began with River Plate virtually eliminated after a 4-2 loss to Peñarol. Flamengo would host the Argentines at home, needing to equal the Uruguayans' record, including a goal difference (they were ahead by two). 

Contrary to the competition's custom, the match was played in the afternoon, on All Souls' Day, November 02nd, a sunny Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro. More than 60 red-and-black fans packed the Maracanã stadium and saw Tita score a stunning goal in the 17th minute, opening the scoring. Olarticoechea misplaced the ball, and the midfielder capitalized, sending a lob from outside the box past the Argentine goalkeeper. 

Flamengo had the game in their hands (or feet) and controlled the match, but failed to extend their lead in the first half. The second goal came only at the start of the final 45 minutes. Junior set up the play and passed to Lico. With a quick touch, the number 11 found Tita, who passed it straight back to Junior, who was streaking through the Argentine defense. O Capacete (Capacete) gave a little touch and took Puentedura out of the play, scoring the second in the sixth minute.

River fought back. Alzamendi pulled one back in the 25th minute, but he didn't even celebrate. First, because the result was still terrible for the Argentines. And second, because Zico, in the 27th minute, scored the third with a deadly header from the six-yard box.

The game heated up. The Argentines provoked a fight after the goal, but Flamengo didn't care. Wanting to score another, they grabbed the ball and carried it to the middle of the field. They wanted to play football. River, already eliminated, decided to spoil the party and scored again, with Bulleri, in the 31st minute. But Ronaldo Marques put the final touches on the game, equalizing Peñarol's score and putting Flamengo in first place. 

Flamengo would end its participation in the Libertadores that year after a loss to the Uruguayan team, who went on to win the championship. But in the memory of their match against River Plate in the competition, Flamengo has a great story to tell.