Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores for the third time in its historyby beating today in the final Athletic Paranaense1 to 0, in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil.
In a final between Brazilian teams and refereed by Argentine Patricio Loustauthe only goal did “Gabigol” Barbosa at 49 minutes of the first half when his rival was already playing with ten due to the expulsion of Pedro Henrique at 42m.
Flamengo had won the 1981 editions (over Cobreloa, from Chile, in the final) and the 2019 edition (against River Plate), but also scored a record through Gabigol, the first to score goals in three finals of the contest.
Flamengo, honoring its power, went out to look for the match, to take on its rival and grab a Paranaense by the neck who, by order of his DT Felipao Scolari, made personal marks on the most talented soccer players of his rival.
Scolari ordered individual chases and for much of the first half the pairs could be seen along the playing field of the Barcelona stadium in Guayaquil.
The first arrivals were in favor of the Cariocas, at the feet of Everton Ribeiro, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and the fearsome offensive duo formed by Gabigol and Pedro. But the rival responded.
So goalkeepers Bento, from Paranaense, and Santos, from Flamengo, had work to do and had to intervene in the first 30 minutes to protect the zero on their fences. Those led by Scolari took advantage of the mistakes made by the experienced Filipe Luiz, who requested the change after 20 minutes after getting injured for the second consecutive final of the Libertadores.
It is that Filipe Luiz had to mark Vitor Roque, 17 years old and one of the new stars of Brazilian soccer, owner of a devilish dribbling and an enviable self-confidence.
The match would break at 42m and not because of a goal: that moment would make Scolari’s script erased at a stroke in an action in which Loustau had a decisive role.
Defender Pedro Henrique was strong and with his leg high in a play against an opponent and earned his expulsion.
When Atlético Paranaense felt the man was missing, the talented Everton Ribeiro put together a very precise wall with Rodinei, reached the edge of the area and crossed for Gabigol to push her into the goal at the far post.
? This was the GOAL of @gabigol
? @Libertadores pic.twitter.com/r4sJGgIaCD— Flamengo (@Flamengo_es) October 29, 2022
In the second half, Scolari abandoned the individual marks, decided to hold on and made changes to seek to hit on the counterattack, as Flamengo continued to go in search of the second goal with a great afternoon by Everton Ribeiro and, to a lesser extent, by De Arrascaeta.
Throughout the second 45 minutes, Flamengo went but lacked precision and the last thrust to close the match, although Everton Ribeiro and Uruguayan De Arrascaeta provided clarity and magic touches to put the goal defended by Bento at risk.
That lack of definition gave life to Scolari’s Paranaense, who for the closing opted for the youngest and fastest of the squad so that they could reach a tie. And although Uruguayans David Terans and Agustin Canobbio made Santos work, Flamengo managed to retain victory and deservedly took the cup.
Celebrations in Rio de Janeiro
Flamengo fans took to the streets in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate their club’s three-time championship, on the eve of the presidential elections that will take place in Brazil on Sunday.
