Flamengo is a three-time Libertadores champion. Facing Athletico-PR this Saturday at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the team led by Dorival Jr confirmed their favoritism, winning 1-0, thanks to a goal from Gabigol, who was once again the hero. red-black after also deciding the 2019 decision, when he scored both goals in the triumph over River Plate, in Lima, Peru.
With this result, Flamengo won the third Libertadores title in its history, tying São Paulo, Santos, Grêmio and Palmeiras as Brazilian clubs that have won the continental tournament most times.
It is the 11th achievement of one of the most successful generations of Flamengo, with Gabigol, Arrascaeta, Filipe Luiís, Diego, among others. Besides the Libertadores Championship (2019 and 2022), Rubro-Negro has won three Campeonato Cariocas (2019, 2020 and 2021), two Brazilian Super Cups (2020 and 2021), a Copa do Brasil (2022), two Brazilian Championships since 2019 (2019 and 2020) and a South American Recopa (2020).
Athletico-PR, in turn, expected to finally become champion of the Libertadores to crown a successful sports project. Returning to the tournament decider after 17 years, Hurricane were again defeated, suffering the sending off of defender Pedro Henrique in the first half.
Athletico-PR started the match better and it was he who put himself in danger on the opposing goal first. In the 11th minute, David Luiz was reluctant to dominate the ball inside the box, Vitinho tackled and struck hard, but Santos was well placed to defend. Shortly after, after a side kick, Alex Santana had the remains and finished with a volley, but sent it over the goal wasting a great chance.
Things got even more complicated for Flamengo in the 19th minute when Filipe Luís asked to be substituted after touching the back of his left thigh. Youngster Ayrton Lucas has been chosen by coach Dorival Jr to fill the left side.
Athletico-PR continued to rise against Flamengo, even more motivated after the departure of one of the main players in the red-black cast, and scared goalkeeper Santos with a kick from Vitinho from outside the surface, which passed close to the post. .
In the home stretch of the first half, Hurricane suffered a heavy blow. In the 43rd minute, Pedro Henrique fouled Ayrton Lucas and received his second yellow card, sent off by referee Patricio Loustau.
As if that were not enough, before the break Flamengo, with a numerical advantage, opened the scoring. Rodinei scored with Everton Ribeiro, who crossed into the measure so that Gabigol only had to finish first and swing the net.
Second time
Flamengo came back for the second half with a different attitude. With the advantage on the scoreboard and with one more man on the pitch, the team led by Dorival Jr managed the match wisely, neutralizing Athletico-PR, who even tried to attack the rival even with ten players on the field, but without success.
Exploring the spaces left by the Hurricane, Flamengo soon became frightened. At five minutes, Gabigol comes face to face with Bento, but overthrows the opposing goalkeeper. Later, Pedro received it at the edge of the box, made the turn and hit hard, but the ball deflected off Matheus Felipe and went out through the baseline.
Felipão opted for all or nothing, favoring substitutions to make Athletico-PR even more attacking, even struggling to stop Flamengo. But due to the quality of the red-black cast, the dominance of the match did not change sides.
In the final minutes, Athletico-PR still had a great chance to tie the game. Terans took a risk from outside the box, Santos released the ball from a save and Canobbio, in an attempt to finish for the goal, went to ground, demanding a penalty. The referee, however, did not score. Shortly after, Flamengo responded with Everton Ribeiro taking a risk from outside the box but the ball went over the crossbar.
Athletico-PR’s last hope was David Terans’ free-kick on the edge of the box in the 45th minute of the second half. The Uruguayan struck with class, over the barrier, but Santos stretched to defend without rebounding, helping to secure Flamengo’s third Libertadores championship.
FLAMENGO 1 X 0 ATHLETICO-PR
Square: Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo Stadium in Guayaquil (EQU)
Date: 29 October 2022, Saturday
Time: 5:00 p.m. (from Brasília)
Arbitrator: Patricio Loustau (ARG)
Assistants: Diego Bonfa (ARG) and Ezequiel Brailovsky (ARG)
VAR: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Goals: Gabigol, 49 from the 1st quarter (Flamengo)
Yellow cards: Pedro Henrique (2), Alex Santana, Romulo (Athletico-PR); Arrascaeta, Vidal (Flemish)
Red card: Pedro Henrique (Athletico-PR)
FLAMENGO: holy; Rodinei, David Luiz, Léo Pereira and Filipe Luís (Ayrton Lucas); Thiago Maia (Vidal), João Gomes, Everton Ribeiro and Arrascaeta (Victor Hugo); Gabigol (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.
Technician: Dorival Jr.
ATHLETICO-PR: Benedict; Khellven, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno and Abner; Fernandinho, Hugo Moura (Terans) and Alex Santana (Matheus Felipe); Vitor Bueno (Canobbio), Vitinho (Romulo) and Vitor Roque (Pablo).
Technician: Luiz Felipe Scolari.
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