The absolute rookie in the Libertadores surprised the defending champion in Quito. (AFP)
The Aucas of Ecuador beat the reigning champion Flamengo 2-1, making history this Wednesday in its absolute debut in the Copa Libertadores in the match that started Group A of the 2023 edition.
The gold and red club won an important and creditable comeback victory with goals from Eric Castillo (58 minutes) and Roberto Ordonez (85′).
The rojinegro carioca, who enjoys the largest fans in his country, could not sustain the partial victory by 1-0 after converting the youngster matheus frank at 38′.
The day will be completed later, with the duel between the nublense of Chile and the racing club from Argentina.
??? The great goal of @flamengo! Matheus França shined with a great goal in the fall of Mengão with #Aucas in Quito ?⚫️
? CONMEBOL #Liberators#Eternal glory pic.twitter.com/eNExsEnQgj
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) April 6, 2023
On the second date of Group A, flamenco will host Ñublense in Rio de Janeiro on April 19 and Racing will aucas in Avellaneda the next day.
The ‘Fla’ had started on the right foot in his project to revalidate the Libertadores title. However, he gave up everything in the second half, in which ‘Papá’ Aucas threatened to give him a thrashing.
Taking advantage of a service by defender Pablo from midfield, the striker Franca launched himself with everything to avoid several auquistas players and slip into the candela area to shoot crosswise, with the right, from below and almost from the penalty spot, beating the cuidapalos Hernan Galindez.
?? For the memory! Eric Castillo scored the first goal of @Aucas45 in the history of CONMEBOL #Liberators: It was the 1⃣-1⃣ set in the win against #flamengo in Quito ???#Eternal glory pic.twitter.com/3iSkJpzlLj
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) April 6, 2023
The goal injected energy into the three-time Libertadores champion (1981, 2019 and 2022), who took time to show some of his supremacy under a rain that fell on the ‘dad’ Aucas stadium, located in the south of the Ecuadorian capital.
‘Dad’ prevails
The partial defeat did not scare Aucas, who equalized with Castillo’s goal. In a counterattack, the striker received a pass from Rómulo Otero to project himself from the left side and turn to the right, nestling through the left pipe.
Ordóñez, who replaced Jhon Cifuentes after 62 minutes, got the 3 points for the “idol” from Quito by entering in a whirlwind until the half moon and cunningly lifting the ball to leave goalkeeper Santos ahead, who desperately came out to try to contain the advance.
?? The winning goal! Roberto Ordóñez sealed a historic victory for @Aucas45: 2⃣-1⃣ to the champion #flamengo in his CONMEBOL debut #Liberators ??? #Eternal glory pic.twitter.com/03EtYBBMQO
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) April 6, 2023
In its premiere in the tournament, the popular ‘oriental’ team was able to stand up well against the lineman ‘Mengão’, who in February lost in the definition on penalties (5-4) against the Ecuadorian Independiente del Valle in the final of the Recopa Sudamericana -2023.
At the beginning of the game he already threatened the fence protected by Santos, but little by little ‘Fla’ was taking out his caste to assume absolute possession of the ball in the initial stage and attack against the ‘idol’ from Quito, who last year He achieved his first national crown in his eight decades of life.
Aucas, who for many years has passed in promotion categories, had no regard for the “most beloved of Brazil,” whose power was not seen in Quito.
