Gremio snatch late equaliser but are outclassed by Flamengo

Gremio's Renato Portaluppi will be the happier of the two managers tonight as his side managed to snatch a late equaliser in a game where they were outclassed for large spells.

Flamengo were denied on three occasions by VAR after the ball was in the Gremio net (one harshly) and VAR also came to Michel's rescue after a yellow card was issued with a rash challenge warranting a straight red.

A repeat performance at home in front of a packed Maracana in Rio should be enough for Jorge Jesus' men to secure a berth in the Santiago de Chile final.   

October 23 is the date for the return leg with Gremio riding their luck tonight in Porto Alegre.  

Goal side camera angle for the Flamengo goal

All over in Porto Alegre. 1-1 the final score.

Vitinho-Bruno (final Flamengo change) 

Filipe Luis off-Rene on (Fla´)

Kannemann carded

Gremio Twitter account enjoued that equaliser

6 minutes of time to be added

Fine work  from Tricolore with great work from Everton in delivering the assist.

Despite the adverse scoreline and poor performance, the Gremio fans have been relentless in maintaining their noise levels.

Mari goes close with the defender trying an acrobatic effort which goes inches over the Gremio crossbar.  

The Flamengo goal that has counted

Michel off-Maicon on for Gremio

Alisson off-Pepe on (Gremio)

Offisde given. no goal for Flamengo

VAR to be looked at but it appeared that the striker was margibnally offisde

The ball is in the Gremio net again .....

Tardelli off-Andre on for Gremio 

Bruno finds Gabigol on a Fla' counter but the No. 9 pulls the ball wide. 

Into the final 15 and Gremio yet to make any changes.

We're underway again as Gremio look for a way back into the game.

Diego Alves gets an elbow in the ribs and is down  

Gerson off- Piris on (Flamengo)

Alves yet again saves his side with the keeper seemingly picking up a knock in saving his team. Gremio fans responding to this second half display as the noise levels are cranked up a notch.

Diego Alves called into action saving his side as Everton fires on target for Gremio.

Gabigol links up well with Ribiero and the No. 9 pulls his shot wide. A bright game now with both sides looking threatening going forward.

Flamengo still ahead possession-wise after an hour of action in Porto Alegre.

Great work from Gremio as Tardelli wins a corner for his side. Everton blazes over from the resulting corner.  

The long ball seems to be Gremio's new tactic in this second half. Still yet to see the best from the likes of Everton and Luan for Gremio.  

De Arrascaeta does well but just over hits a pass in the area. Flamego lacking the same fluidity they displayed in the first 45'.

Good work from Gremio as Galhardo finds space on the right hand flank but his cross is cut out. Tardelli fires on target but the ball ricochets off a Fla' defender. Better start from Gremio.

Jorge Jesus laments a VAR decision in the first 45'.

What will Renato Portaluppi (Gremio) have advised his side at the break? A meidocre performance from "Tricolore" in the first 45'

We're back underway in Porto Alegre. Gremio start the action.

Flamengo in total control in Porto Alegre and will feel they should be at least one goal to the good. Gremio riding their luck and fortunate to still have 11 men on the pitch after a potential red for Michel was deemed of only a yellow by the Argentine match official. 

The whistle sounds and brings an end to the first 45' 

Great work from Flamengo moving the ball quickly from the middle of the park as "Mengao" fail to find a spare man in the box.   

The game now being overshadowed by niggly fouls as the Gremio fans start to subdue in their what was constant chanting. 

6 minutes of time to be added

Tardelli carded for a foul on Filipe Luis.

Gremio call for a spot kick as Galhardo tumbles in the box. Ref. waves play on.  

VAR coming to Gremio's aid three times tonight.  

Lucky escape for Michel with Pitana only awarding a yellow card ...

VAR call for possible red for Michel (Gremio).

VAR to be consulted on the first challenge when Michel fouls Gerson...possible red ?

Gerson and Tardelli both down after two rash challenges. 

Gremio win a dangerous free but in the end the ref. lets play carry on. The home side are slowly starting to claw their way back into the action but still under the cosh from well orchestrated build-up play from Fla'.  

We've seen very little from Everton (Gremio) this evening with the likes of Luan and Michel yet to really get going tonight.

Barbosa (Gabigol) was half a boot offside for the second disallowed goal !

Total dominance from Flamengo possession-wise. Diego Alves a virtual spectator in the Mengao - Flamengo goal 

Gremio get out of jail for the second time 

And VAR decides that the goal will not stand and offside is the verdict

VAR to check again after Gabigol rockets the ball into the back of the net  

The ball is in the Gremio net again .... the flag is up though ....

No goal ! As we were .... Foul given for a foul on Kannemann. Let off for the home side

There was a possible infringement leading up to the goal. What will Mr. Pitana decree? Possibly ruled out ?

Wait a moment, we're going to VAR 

Paulo Victor punches the ball straight to Everton who lashes into the empty area.

Goooooooooooooool. Flamengo go ahead in Porto Alegre 

First card of the night goes to Caio (Flamengo) as he lunges at Tardelli who appears to be in trouble. 

Gabigol unleashes a fierce left footed drive from an acute angle but the ball is wide of  Paulo Victor's goal.

Flamengo in charge dominating possession with a 78-22 (%) ratio at present. 

Flamengo almost take the lead with Giorgian De Arrascaeta firing inches wide of the Gremio goal. Once again Flamengo attack with a long range Bruno effort. 

Great link up play with Flamengo working the ball into the Gremio area but the final after blocked by the last Gremio defender

Flamengo enjoying the better of the possession with Gabigol and Bruno looking to link up. 1984 was the last time Flamengo made a Libertadores semi-final !  

Cagey start in Porto Alegre with neither side able to stamp any degree of authority on the action so far.

Everton (the Gremio one) on the ball for the first time tonight but collides with a Flamengo defender.    

Early free kick for Flamengo with De Arrascaeta to take. Cleared by the Gremio reargruard.

We're all set... Flamengo to get the action underway... Great noise being made at the Arena do Gremio.

Great scenes at the Arena do Gremio, black, white and blue the predominant colour only punctuated by a small (2.000 or so) presence of "Fla" fans. 

It's national anthem time at the Arena do Gremio as the rain continues to fall.  

October 23rd is the date for the away leg with the tie to be decided at the Maracana in Rio de Jaineiro. The winners will meet the victors of the River-Boca semi final with the final this year set to be staged in Santiago de Chile (Nov. 23).   

Fans of both sides in the packed stadium with kick-off just 15' away  

Tonight's match official is Argentine, Nestor Pitana. 

Flamengo too will wear their home shirt, the iconic red and black hoops.

Gremio will wear their classic 'tri-colore' black, white and blue stripes tonight. One of the finest shirts in the game. 

A pensive Jorge Jesus arrives at the Arena as kick-off looms

"Fla" fans arriving at the Arena do Gremio. Unlike last night's River-Boca clash, away supporters are permitted at this all Brazilian clash.  

Gremio XI also confirmed:

The view from the away end at the Arena do Gremio

Gremio will be looking to add to their three Copa Libertadores wins (1983, 1995, 2017) against Flamengo's sole win in 1981. 

Former Atleti defender Filipe Luis full of praise for Flamego coach Jorge Jesus: "Our coach, Jorge Jesus, is wonderful. We learn new things every day and laugh a lot with him around.  All of this together makes things go right. But the hardest part is staying on top".

With 22 games played in Serie A, Flamengo top the table with Libertadores rivals Gremio languishing in 8th

The last meeting between both sides in Brazil's Serie A was on August 11 where Flamengo overcame their Porto Alegre rivals 3-1 in Rio. The last meeting in the Arena do Gremio saw te home side triumph 2-0 in 2018.

Flamengo have just confirmed their starting XI ahead of the game 

Rain forecast for this evening's Libertadores semi-final. Currently raining in the Rio Grande do Sul capital of Potro Alegre.

The away dressing room awaits at the Arena do Gremio 

Kick-off at the Arena do Gremio is at 02:30 CEST / 21:30 local time.

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage of the second Copa Libertadores 2019 semi-final (first leg) as Gremio face Flamengo.