Andrés Matonte will officiate Flamengo vs. Del Valle in the Copa Libertadores. The Uruguayan referee has a history of overseeing high-scoring wins for the Rubro-Negro, but also a painful elimination via penalty shootout.
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has announced the officiating crew for the decisive clash between Flamengo and Independiente del Valle (ECU). Uruguayan official Andrés Matonte has been selected to referee the second leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, a match expected to be high-intensity at the Maracanã.
The appointment of Matonte for this crucial fixture has drawn attention among the Flamengo faithful, given his past history with the club. The 38-year-old referee has overseen three previous Flamengo matches, with outcomes ranging from emphatic routs to a bitter elimination in a continental final.
Referee’s History with Flamengo
Throughout his career, Andrés Matonte has officiated three games involving Flamengo. The most notable was the 2023 Recopa Sudamericana final, where the Rio-based side defeated Independiente del Valle 1-0, leveling the aggregate score. However, the team ultimately lost the trophy on penalties, 5-4, in a frustrating result for the fans.
Despite that exit, Matonte has also presided over moments of triumph for the club. During the 2024 Libertadores group stage, Flamengo crushed Bolívar (BOL) 4-0 at the Maracanã under his watch. Furthermore, in the current season, the Uruguayan officiated the 4-1 victory over Independiente Medellín (COL), also at the Maracanã, during the second round of the group stage.
For this Thursday’s showdown, Andrés Matonte will be supported by compatriot Antonio Garcia in the VAR booth, ensuring technical assistance for on-field decisions.
Match Context and Next Steps
With the officiating crew set, Flamengo and Independiente del Valle are preparing for the match this coming Thursday (17), scheduled to kick off at 9:30 PM (Brasilia time). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and the Disney+ streaming service.
Flamengo enters this duel with a significant advantage after winning the first leg 2-0 in the altitude of Quito. The team can afford to lose by a one-goal margin at the Maracanã and still secure their spot in the Libertadores semifinals, where they could face the winner of the tie between Corinthians and Estudiantes (ARG).
The performance of Andrés Matonte will be a focal point, especially considering the high-stakes games he has mediated involving the Rio club. A hard-fought match is expected, where every officiating decision could have a significant impact on who advances to the next stage of the continental tournament.
The M360 Team Equipe M360 will be covering all the action and fallout from the match.
