The Rio team awaits the results of the match between Rosario Central and Independiente Rivadavia to confirm the overall leadership of the continental tournament
O Flemish confirmed favoritism e ended the Libertadores group stage with victory. On Tuesday (26), at Maracanã, Rubro-Negro beat Cusco 3-0in the last round of Group A, with two goals from Bruno Henrique, and now awaits the results of Rosario Central and Independiente Rivadavia to find out if they will finish in the overall lead of the competition.
The Rio team finished the first phase at the top of Group A, with 16 points. Estudiantes advanced in second, with nine, after beating Independiente Medellín, in Argentina, with a goal in stoppage time. The Colombians finished third, with seven points, and will compete in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs. THE Cusco was at the bottom, with just two.
Still under pressure from the defeat to Palmeiras at the weekend, Flamengo heard boos during most of the first half at Maracanã. Despite territorial dominance, the team found it difficult to transform possession of the ball in clear chances and came up against the good performance of goalkeeper Vidal.
The first big opportunity came early, when Gamarra saved practically on the line a finish from De La Cruz. At 24 minutes, Emerson Royal crossed low, the defense partially cleared it e Evertton Araújo hit the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.
Even though they were cornered, Cusco got scared before the break. At 43, Colitto launched a counterattack and the ball passed through Ruidíaz and Manzaneda until reaching Nicolás Silva, who finished for good save from Andrew. In stoppage time, Flamengo piled up opportunities in sequence. Evertton Araújo stopped at Vidal, Danilo also saw the goalkeeper save, and Ayrton Lucas wasted the remainder by finishing poorly.
The scenario changed after the break. In the first few minutes, Colitto was once again frightening with a medium-range shot. Flamengo responded at ten, when Bruno Henrique stole the ball in midfield and started the play which ended in Vidal’s defense after Luiz Araújo’s submission.
The red-black pressure increased in the final stretch. Pedro had a clear chance inside the area after a cross from Ayrton Lucas, but wasted it. The goal finally came in the 34th minute. After confusing play inside the area, the ball fell to Bruno Henrique, who took advantage of the rebound to stuff himself the networks and ease the tension at Maracanã.
At 38, Flamengo expanded. After Plata’s move, the ball went to Bruno Henrique, who scored another. In the final minutes, Flamengo continued to press and reached the third goal after Ampuero’s handball inside the area. Lucas Paquetá took the penalty with class, displaced Vidal and completed the red-and-black victory. There was still time for Lucas Paquetá to score one more, but the shot ended up being canceled for offside.
TECHNICAL SHEET
FLAMENGO 3 X 0 CUSCO
FLAMENGO – Andrew; Emerson Royal, Danilo, Vitão and Ayrton Lucas; Evertton Araújo (Pedro), Saúl (Lucas Paquetá) and De la Cruz (Samuel Lino); Plata, Bruno Henrique (Everton Cebolinha) and Luiz Araújo (Erick Pulgar). Coach: Leonardo Jardim.
CUSCO – Vidal; Ruidías, Fuentes, Gamarra and Zevallos; Diego Soto (Velenzuela), Carlos Diez (Ampuero) and Carabajal; Colitto, Manzaneda (Colman) and Nicolás Silva (Tévez). Technician: Alejandro Orfila.
GOALS – Bruno Henrique, at 34 and 38, and Lucas Paquetá, at 45 minutes of the second half.
YELLOW CARDS – Calo Diez, Carabajal, Diego Soto and Tévez (Cusco)
REFEREE – Jose Burgos (URU)
INCOME – Not disclosed
PUBLIC – 34,796 fans.
LOCAL – Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
