After 12 games of insurmountable defense, Flamengo conceded a goal againthis Tuesday (2), in a 1-1 draw with Millonarios, in Colombia, in the first round of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores da América.
And it wasn’t for lack of warning. The Colombian team had good chances to score in the first half, with the ball hitting the post and good saves from Rossi at the El Campín stadium.
In the final stage, Flamengo opened the scoring with a penalty converted by Pedro in the 18th minute of the second half. In the play, Larry Vásquez was sent off for the foul on Arrascaeta.
Even with one less, Millonarios were brave and sought a draw at home with Daniel Ruiz, in the 35th minute of the final stage, completing a beautiful individual play by Emerson Rodríguez.
With this, Flamengo and Millonarios start the Libertadores with one point in group E. Bolivar and Palestino still face each other in the round.
That’s it, Viña!
Flamengo needed just a few minutes to come face to face with Millonarios’ goalkeeper. After four minutes, in a play with wingers Cebolinha and Bruno Henrique, Viña appeared as a center forward. Free in the small area, the left-back hit with his right foot and sent it wide, over Montero’s goal.
It was the big chance, but not the only one. At 12, BH got the rebound after the defense disarmed Arrascaeta and kicked hard at the difficult defense of the Colombian number 31.
Millionaires take over
After 15 minutes, Flamengo ended up being involved by the home team. Tite’s changes – which changed four positions – weighed heavily, as did the physical issue. Millonarios imposed themselves and, little by little, took control of the match. At 36, Castro hit Rossi’s post and narrowly missed opening the scoring.
The home team’s best moments were on the right attacking side. Cataño, Giordana and Alfonzo went up there and made life difficult for Viña – who didn’t perform well. The first two mentioned also threatened Flamengo’s goal, but were unable to change the score before the break.
Penalty, expulsion and goal by Pedro
With the entry of Allan in place of Igor Jesus, Flamengo returned with a greater presence in the midfield and managed to contain the momentum of the locals in the return to the second half. The game continued without much emotion until the 15th minute, when Arrascaeta was brought down inside the area.
In addition to the penalty, referee Darío Herrera sent off Vázquez, who pushed Flamengo’s number 14 after Pulgar’s pass. When taking the penalty, Pedro showed his usual skill and put Rubro-Negro ahead at El Campín: 1 to 0. Minutes later, Tite replaced him with Luiz Araújo.
With one down, Millonarios draws!
The changes that were decisive were those made by Alberto Gamero. The coach called on Emerson Rodríguez and Daniel Ruiz in the 32nd minute. The pair needed three minutes on the field to decide. The first took advantage of Pulgar’s error, dribbled him and crossed just enough for the second to equalize: 1-1 at 35!
Millonarios, even with one less player, achieved what no team had done in 2024 against Flamengo’s main team: score a goal.
In the final minutes, Tite’s team even regained possession of the ball, but it was the home team that scored again, but Rossi made important interventions.
Millonarios-COL x Flamengo
Millionaires-COL
Huntsman; Alfonzo, Paz, Vargas and Hernández; Giraldo, Vásquez, Cataño (Daniel Ruiz) and Silva (Beckham Castro); Giordana (Emerson Rodríguez) and Leonardo Castro (Juan Pereira) – Coach: Alberto Gamero.
Flamengo
Rossi; Varela (Evertton Araújo), Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Viña (Ayrton Lucas); Erick Pulgar, Igor Jesus (Allan) and Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique, Everton Cebolinha and Pedro (Luiz Araújo) – Coach: Tite.
Goals: Pedro (15’/2nd Q), from Flamengo, and Daniel Ruiz (35’/2nd Q), from Millionarios.
Yellow card: Leonardo Castro (MIL); Luiz Araújo (FLA)
Red card: None.
Reason: Game in the 1st round of Group E of the Copa Libertadores
Location: El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia
Date and time: April 2, 2024, at 7pm (Brasília time)
Referee: Darío Herrera (ARG)
Assistants: Ezekiel Brailovsky (ARG) and Facundo Rodriguez (ARG)
Video referee: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
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This content was originally created in Itatiaia.
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