Qualified! Mengão draws 1-1 with Inter and advances to the Copa Libertadores semifinals
Gabigol scored the equalizer for the red-black team in the match
By Thiago Moreira - inQUALIFIED! Flamengo drew 1-1 with Internacional at Beira Rio, in Porto Alegre, and secured a spot in the semifinals of the Conmebol Libertadores. The match was held on Wednesday night (28) and the red-black goal was scored by Gabigol. Having won the first leg 2-0 at Maracanã, the draw was enough to secure Mengão in the next phase.
Flamengo started the match on the attack. Before the first minute had passed, Arrascaeta shot with his left foot, and Marcelo Lomba parried it away. Then, in the 1:40 minute mark, Cuéllar found a well-positioned Gabigol, and the striker found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who made a difficult save and sent the ball out for a corner. The game became more tense after the Mais Querido's initial good moments, and Internacional attempted to press higher. The Rubro-Negro remained unfazed, managing to exchange passes and gain possession in the attacking sector.
In the 21st minute, captain Everton Ribeiro received a pass from Rafinha and took a shot from outside the box. However, the shot ended up in the middle of the goal, and the Colorado number 1 made the save. Mengão continued to attack despite the aggregate lead, and in the 23rd minute, Bruno Henrique sent a powerful shot into the corner, which the goalkeeper intercepted again. Maintaining their momentum, Flamengo came close again in the 36th minute, with a powerful shot from Filipe Luís that was saved by Marcelo Lomba. The Mais Querido's last opportunity in the first half fell to Gabigol, after a good pass from Bruno Henrique. The number 9 arrived on the left flank and sent the ball wide.
In the second half, Inter were more attacking. The home team needed a three-goal win and scored their goal in the 16th minute, with a header from Rodrigo Lindoso after a free kick. Coach Jorge Jesus brought Berrío into the match, and the Colombian made a good play from the first play, almost reaching Gabigol. In the 39th minute, Bruno Henrique advanced down the left flank and the ball reached the feet of Mengão's top scorer, who tapped it into the back of the net. "Mais Querido" tied the game with Gabigol, and the score remained the same until the end. With a 1-1 draw at Beira Rio and a 2-0 victory at Maracanã, "Rubro-Negro" secured a spot in the CONMEBOL Libertadores semifinals!
And now?
Mengão faces Grêmio in the semifinals of the Conmebol Libertadores. The first match will be in Porto Alegre, on October 2, and the second match will be at Maracanã, on the 23rd of the same month. Next Sunday (01), Flamengo faces Palmeiras at Maracanã, for the Brazilian Championship.
Flamengo lineup:
Diego Alves; Rafinha, Rodrigo Caio, Pablo Mari, Filipe Luis (Renê); Cuéllar (Piris da Motta), Gerson, De Arrascaeta, Everton Ribeiro (Berrío), Bruno Henrique and Gabriel Barbosa.