Flamengo loses away from home and complicates its situation in the Copa Libertadores after a defeat to Aucas in Quito.
The second round of the Copa Libertadores group stage brought a bitter result for Flamengo.
In a match played in Quito, Ecuador, the Rubro-Negro was defeated by Aucas with a score of 2 to 1.
The defeat leaves the Rio de Janeiro club in a delicate position in the competition, gathering only one point in two matches played so far.
The game, which seemed under control, took an unexpected turn after the expulsion of Gerson still in the first half.
Playing with a man down, Flamengo struggled to maintain its rhythm and watched the Ecuadorian side grow in the second half, completing the comeback and securing the three points.
Ecuadorian comeback and red card define the match
The match started with Flamengo trying to impose its rhythm, but Gerson‘s red card at the 30-minute mark of the first half drastically changed the scenario.
Even with the numerical disadvantage, the Rubro-Negro managed to open the scoring.
Flamengo goal: Pedro’s hope
At 35 minutes of the first half, Pedro received the ball at the edge of the box, dribbled past the defender with class, and fired a powerful shot into the right corner of the goalkeeper, opening the scoring and bringing hope to the Flamengo fans.
Aucas reaction and Ecuadorian comeback
In the second half, with the numerical advantage, Aucas went on the attack and secured the comeback.
The first Ecuadorian goal came after a corner kick, where the ball fell to Preciado, who inside the box, struck a cross-shot and leveled the score.
The final blow came through a penalty kick.
Kitu Díaz crossed into the box, the ball hit Léo Pereira‘s hand, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Díaz himself took the penalty, sent goalkeeper Santos the wrong way, and secured the victory for Aucas.
An expert commented:
Gerson’s red card was a crucial turning point in the match. Trying to play for that long a man down in the Libertadores is always complicated.
Delicate situation in the Libertadores
With this result, Flamengo has accumulated only one point in two matches played in the Copa Libertadores group stage.
The team now needs to bounce back immediately in its upcoming fixtures to avoid finding itself in an even more complicated position in the quest to qualify for the next round.
Flamengo‘s next challenge in the competition will still be scheduled by CONMEBOL, but the need to pick up points is urgent to get the team back on track in South America’s premier club competition.
Equipe M360
