Flamengo secures a spot in the Libertadores quarterfinals following victory over Cruzeiro
Flamengo showed resilience and secured its place in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals this Wednesday (19). In a vibrant Maracanã stadium, the Rubro-Negro overcame Cruzeiro 2-1, building on the 1-1 draw from the first leg. The victory keeps the dream of a fourth continental title alive.
Now, the focus shifts to the next phase, where Mengão will face the winner of the duel between Independiente del Valle (ECU) and Deportes Tolima (COL). The first leg ended in a 1-0 win for the Ecuadorian side, and the final decision will take place next Tuesday (25) in Ecuador.
Early Dominance and Arrascaeta’s Goal
The first half was marked by overwhelming dominance from Flamengo. From the opening minutes, the Rio-based team pressured Cruzeiro, creating several clear scoring opportunities.
The persistent pressure paid off in the 34th minute, when Arrascaeta, following a beautiful give-and-go with Pedro, finished with precision into the top corner to open the scoring. It was the team’s 14th shot of the match, highlighting their superiority on the pitch.
Electrifying Second Half and Heroic Turnaround
The second half brought a different scenario. Five minutes in, Lucas Romero equalized for Cruzeiro with a brilliant long-range strike, shaking the home crowd.
The tension grew as the Flamengo side showed signs of nervousness, making errors in ball distribution that almost led to a comeback for the visitors.
However, football had an impressive twist in store. In the 16th minute, following a play by Samuel Lino, who received a pass from Pedro, Flamengo scored the second goal, reigniting the celebrations at the Maracanã.
Control and Sealed Qualification
After taking the lead, head coach Leonardo Jardim made strategic changes. Despite Cruzeiro‘s persistence, Flamengo managed to control the game and secure the result.
The substitution of Jorginho, who was visibly exhausted, signaled the physical fatigue on the pitch. In the final stretch, the visitors did not have the strength to push for an equalizer, confirming the Rubro-Negro spot in the next round.
Next Match and Focus on the Brazilian Serie A
With their minds on the Libertadores, Flamengo is already preparing for its next challenge in the Brazilian Serie A. On Saturday (22), the Rubro-Negro will face Cruzeiro again at the Mineirão, in a match that could be crucial for the top spot in the standings.
MATCH DETAILS: FLAMENGO 2-1 CRUZEIRO
- Competition: Copa Libertadores, Round of 16 (second leg)
- Venue: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
- Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Goals: Arrascaeta (34′), Lucas Romero (50′), Samuel Lino (61′)
- Flamengo: Agustín Rossi, Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata, and Pedro. Coach: Leonardo Jardim.
- Cruzeiro: Otávio, William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus, and Rojas; Lucas Romero, Gerson, and Matheus Pereira; Wesley, Arroyo, and Kaio Jorge. Coach: Artur Jorge.
By Equipe M360
