Flamengo continues to show a devastating offensive performance in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, solidifying its position as the leader in shots on target, while Lucas Paquetá shines with a significant record in knockout matches.
Flamengo continues to demonstrate a clinical touch in front of goal in this year’s Copa Libertadores. Under the leadership of manager Leonardo Jardim, the Rio de Janeiro side has established itself as the team with the most shots on target in the current edition of the continental tournament. Following a 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro at the Mineirão, the Rubro-Negro reached the impressive mark of 49 shots on target.
The team’s attacking volume is clearly reflected on the scoreboard: the club has already netted 12 goals in the competition, holding the second spot in the ranking of most productive attacks, trailing only Independiente del Valle, which has 15. With the result in Belo Horizonte, Flamengo extended its unbeaten streak in the Copa Libertadores to seven games, maintaining the tactical consistency shown since the group stage.
The brilliance of Lucas Paquetá
Individually, the standout performer of the round was Lucas Paquetá. The midfielder needed only one touch of the ball to find the back of the net against Cruzeiro, securing the draw. With that goal, he became the outright midfielder from the Brazilian Serie A with the most goals in knockout rounds during the 2026 season, totaling four goals in elimination matches.
Based on data from R10 Score, the Flamengo academy graduate is impressive: in five Copa Libertadores matches—starting two of them—Paquetá has scored three goals, maintained a 90% passing accuracy, and played a crucial role in both chance creation and defensive transitions, winning back ten balls and succeeding in 14 individual duels.
Decisive stretch
The focus is now split between the continental campaign and domestic duties. The match that will decide who advances to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals is scheduled for next Wednesday (19), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at the Maracanã.
Before that decisive showdown, the squad shifts its attention to the Brazilian Serie A. The team will take the field this Sunday (16), at 6:30 PM, to face Mirassol at the Estádio José Maria de Campos Maia (Maião), in a match valid for the 23rd round of the competition.
