Mengão debuts in the Libertadores with a 2-1 victory over Junior Barranquilla

Everton Ribeiro scored both goals for Mais Querido and had a great performance in the match

By Romulo Paranhos - in 04/03/2020 às 23:42

Debut on the right foot! Flamengo began its journey in the Conmebol Libertadores on Wednesday night (04) by beating Junior Barranquilla 2-1 at the Metropolitano Stadium, in Colombia. Everton Ribeiro scored both goals for Mais Querido in the match and had a great performance.

The game

Flamengo started the match with the majority of possession, exchanging passes to create space in the opposing defense. It didn't take long for Flamengo to open the scoring. In the fifth minute, Vitinho launched Arrascaeta down the left, who reached the byline and crossed low into the box. Everton Ribeiro, well-positioned, slotted the ball past goalkeeper Viera to make it 5-1 for Flamengo. Throughout the first half, Flamengo continued exchanging passes in Barranquilla's midfield, waiting for an opening to penetrate the Colombian team's box. The first half ended with Flamengo in the lead.

After the break, Flamengo maintained the same intensity, pressing the opponent's ball out. In the 7th minute, Mengão almost got their second. Gabigol raced past three defenders and struck with his left foot. The ball deflected off the defense and sailed dangerously over the crossbar. Midway through the second half, Junior began exchanging passes in the Flamengo defense and creating a dangerous opportunity. The Mais Querido stayed back and relied on Michael's speed to launch the counterattack. And it paid off! In the 33rd minute, Gabigol released Michael at speed, the forward passing to Everton Ribeiro in the box, who chipped the ball over the goalkeeper for the second. Junior Barranquilla pulled one back in the final minute with a Téo Gutiérrez, giving the final numbers of the match, which marked Mengão's debut victory in the competition: 2 to 1.

And now?

Flamengo returns to the field next Saturday (07), at 18 pm, at Maracanã, to face Botafogo in the second round of the Taça Rio.

Flamengo lineup

Diego Alves, João Lucas, Gustavo Henrique, Leo Pereira, Filipe Luis; Thiago Maia, Gerson, Everton Ribeiro, De Arrascaeta (Michael), Vitinho (Pedro); Gabriel Barbosa.