Flamengo beats LDU and enters the classification zone for the round of 16 of the Libertadores
Rubro-Negro depends only on itself to advance to the knockout stage; Léo Ortiz and Luiz Araújo scored the goals
SUMMARY
In a game of life or death, Flamengo let its quality shine and beat LDU 2-0 on Thursday night at Maracanã. Léo Ortiz and Luiz Araújo scored the goals that eased the situation of the Rubro-Negro in Group C of the Libertadores. Fla played well, especially in the first half, and was confident for most of the match. The pace even slowed down in the second half, but nothing that really scared the home team. It was the score needed to enter the qualifying zone for the round of 16 and relieve the pressure.
HOW THE TABLE LOOKED
Flamengo moved up to second place in Group C, with eight points and a goal difference of two, and now only needs to secure qualification. Central Córdoba remains in the lead, with 11 points, and LDU drops to third, with eight (with a goal difference of 1 to 2 against Rubro-Negro).
The Red-Black team needs to beat Deportivo Táchira on May 28th at Maracanã to reach the round of 16. If they draw with the Venezuelan team, Flamengo will only advance if LDU fails to beat Central Córdoba. If they lose to Táchira, Flamengo will only advance if LDU loses to Central Córdoba, based on goal difference.
AND NOW?
The last round of the Libertadores group stage will be on Wednesday the 28th at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). Flamengo will host Deportivo Táchira at Maracanã, while LDU will face Central Córdoba in Quito. Before that, Rubro-Negro has three games. On Sunday, they will face Botafogo and on Wednesday Botafogo-PB, both at home. Then, they will face Palmeiras away.
FIRST HALF
Flamengo started the match with a bang and went all out to get the result. Léo Ortiz opened the scoring right away, in the ninth minute, from a set piece after a corner kick. LDU seemed lost and barely left their defensive half in the first 45 minutes, with only one good chance in the 36th minute, with Gruezo. The Red-Blacks slowed down after the exciting start, but never stopped dominating. They needed to be more careful with their final passes to scare the goalkeeper more often and extend their lead.
SECOND HALF
Flamengo did it again, starting the second half with a bang and extending the lead early on with a goal from Luiz Araújo. The star of the night, the forward took advantage of a poorly cleared ball to secure second place in the group for the Red-Blacks. The team lost momentum after the goal and just managed the match without suffering much. LDU threw themselves more into the game to gain possession and space in the attacking half, and even caused some trouble, but Rossi barely had to work. It was a convincing performance to boost morale in the Libertadores.
