📝 Flamengo finish nearly-perfect Copa Libertadores run with 2-1 win | OneFootball

Despite their early-season domestic struggles, Flamengo were able to continue flexing their muscle in the Copa Libertadores, winning 2-1 over Sporting Cristal to finish the group stage on 16 points.

Scorers: Isla 30′, Pedro 74′; Gonzáles 85′

With the result, Flamengo equaled their best campaigns at this stage of the tournament, as they also earned 16 points in 1984 and 2007.

The first goal of the match was a strange one, as David Luiz’s attempted long pass from the centre circle took a wicked deflection and somehow landed at the feet of Mauricio Isla, who toe-poked the ball to give Flamengo the lead 30 minutes in.

Though they were completely dominant all game, it took until the 74th minute for Flamengo to find their second goal, as Pedro banged home Andreas’ pass.

Though Christofer González would pull one back for the visitors, it was too little too late as Flamengo extended their home unbeaten streak in the Copa Libertadores to 15 games, last having lost at the Maracanã against Peñarol in April 2019.

It wasn’t all good news for Flamengo as João Gomes picked up a yellow card, meaning he will be suspended for the first leg of their round-of-16 match.

Flamengo will either be the second or third-seeded team in the knockout stage. Palmeiras finished with a perfect 18 points, while River Plate could overtake Flamengo with a two-goal victory.