Flamengo draws but still advances to Copa Libertadores semifinal

Brazilian club Flamengo secured a spot in the semifinal of South America's top club competition, the Copa Libertadores, on Thursday, September 17, after a 1-1 home draw against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle. Because Flamengo had won the first leg in Quito 2-0, it advanced with a 3-1 aggregate score.

How the match unfolded

According to band.com.br, Independiente del Valle attacked aggressively from the start and took the lead in the 30th minute, when Djorkaeff Reasco converted a rebound after goalkeeper Rossi had saved a shot from Perelló. The second half grew even tougher for Flamengo: 19 minutes in, Jorginho was sent off with a second yellow card for hitting Alcívar in the face with his arm. Despite playing with ten men, Flamengo equalized in the 38th minute — after a long ball from Rossi, the Ecuadorian goalkeeper came out poorly, and Arrascaeta headed the ball in to make it 1-1.

Ahead of the match, ge.globo.com reported that Flamengo's coach, Leonardo Jardim, had most of his squad available aside from a few uncertainties, while Independiente del Valle had to do without its top scorer of the season, Carlos González, who was injured in the first leg.

What comes next

Having advanced, Flamengo will face Argentina's Estudiantes in the semifinal; Estudiantes eliminated Corinthians the day before. On the other side of the bracket, Palmeiras and Fluminense are also competing for a place in the final.

As reported by tmc.com.br, reaching the semifinal earns Flamengo an additional $2.3 million (about R$11.51 million) in prize money from Conmebol. The club has now earned $7.95 million in total prize money this Libertadores edition, including payments for the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, and five group-stage wins. The tournament champion will receive $25 million, while the runner-up gets $7 million.