📹 Fla survive Maracanã scare, reach Libertadores semi-finals
· Yahoo Sports
In the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals, Flamengo drew 1-1 with Independiente del Valle this Thursday (17).
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However, as they had won 2-0 in Ecuador, the Rubro-Negro advanced to the semifinals (3-1 on aggregate) and remains alive in the fight for a fifth title in the continental tournament (1981, 2019, 2022 and 2025).
Highlights coming up shortly
âš½ The match
With the big advantage earned in Ecuador, Flamengo’s fans packed the "Biggest in the World" confident that qualification was only a matter of time.
On the pitch, the team coached by Portuguese manager Leonardo Jardim came out calm and in control of possession.
Before the 15-minute mark, for example, Bruno Henrique was played in behind the visiting defense, but was denied by a good save from goalkeeper Quintana.
However, Del Valle opened the scoring when Djorkaeff Reasco pounced on a rebound from goalkeeper Rossi.
Unrecognizable on the pitch, Flamengo’s players went into the locker room to boos from the Nação.
After the break, the Rubro-Negro came back much better, more switched on, but the match soon took on dramatic tones when the experienced Jorginho was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
The "disaster" came very close to happening when Yandri Vásquez found the back of Flamengo’s net in the 32nd minute of the second half.
However, the Nação could breathe a sigh of relief because the goal was ruled out for offside.
And the explosion of joy came five minutes later, when Rossi launched the ball forward, goalkeeper Quintana made a bizarre misjudgment and was chipped.
In the right place at the right time, Arrascaeta took full advantage of the rival’s huge blunder and finished to level the match and seal a place in the semifinals.
🚦 How it stands
With their place secured, Flamengo will face Estudiantes in the semifinals.
The first leg will be in Argentina, with the return leg at the Maracanã.
On the other side of the bracket, Fluminense will host Palmeiras in the first leg, with the second match taking place at Nubank Parque.
Conmebol still has to make the dates official, but the matches are expected to take place on October 13 and 14 (first leg) and October 20 and 21 (second leg).
So, with a month to go before the semifinals, the Rubro-Negro now turns its attention to the Brasileirão, where it leads the table with 57 points.
Flamengo returns to action next Sunday (20), when it hosts RB Bragantino at the Maracanã at 6:30 p.m. (BrasÃlia time) in Round 28.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.