Heroics from Peñarol as Copa Libertadores semi-finalists are established

Peñarol will play in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 13 years after a dogged defensive display against the Campeón del Siglo eliminating Flamengo 1-0 on aggregate. The Brazilian team was unable to find a way past the yellow and black wall and limp out of the competition despite having invested heavily in reinforcements at the Rio based club.

Peñarol

• Uruguay

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Fla’ boss Tite decided not to include Gabigol in the starting eleven and opted for the constant mobility of players such as Bruno Henrique or Gerson and from the outset, Mengão took control of the game and tried to impose a high pace with Peñarol looking to slow the tempo of the contest and keep the Brazilians at bay.

Despite Flamengo’s clear dominance in terms of possession, clear goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium and it was actually Leo Fernández with a free kick who almost put the home side ahead but ultimately it was a defensive performance that was required from the Uruguayan side on the night.

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Flat Fla’

In the second half, Flamengo’s problems in creating clear-cut chances continues with Bruno Henrique created plenty of openings on the left flank, but was unable to connect with any player in a white jersey as Tite reacted and brought on Gabigol for Plata, but the switch failed to change the dynamic, and the forward who has brought so much glory to the Rio side barely touched the ball in his time on the pitch.

Peñarol remained disciplined as desperation kicked in for Flamengo with the clock ticking down as De la Cruz went close from a volleyed effort and ultimately Tite‘s men failed to break down the home side, failing to score 180 minutes of football as Peñarol advance to the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade where they face another Brazilian opponent in the shape of Botafogo as fans at the Estadio de Campeón del Siglo began to dream of a possible sixth Copa Libertadores title in the club’s history.

The other semi-final sees River Plate face Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro in a two legged tie with the final, set to be staged in Buenos Aires as a one off game on 30 November.

Peñarol

• 29 Aguerre
• 4 Guzmán Rodríguez
• 20 Pedro Milans
• 23 Javier Méndez
• 15 Maximiliano Olivera
• 7 Javier Cabrera (66')
• 28 Jaime Báez (66')
• 14 Damián García
• 13 Eduardo Darias (89')
• 8 Leonardo Fernández
• 11 Maximiliano Silvera (76')
• Substitutes
• 6 Rodrigo Pérez Casada
• 18 Camilo Mayada
• 10 Gastón Ramírez (89')
• 97 Alan Medina
• 9 Facundo Batista (76')
• 16 Adrián Fernández
• 5 Cristóforo
• 2 Léo Coelho
• 26 Leonardo Sequeira (66')
• 90 Avenatti
• 12 De Amores
• 27 Lucas Hernández (66')

Flamengo

• 1 Agustín Rossi
• 15 Fabricio Bruno (82')
• 4 Leo Pereira
• 2 Guillermo Varela (58')
• 26 Alex Sandro (73')
• 8 Gerson
• 18 Nicolás De la Cruz
• 45 Gonzalo Plata (58')
• 14 De Arrascaeta
• 3 Léo Ortiz (82')
• 27 Bruno Henrique
• Substitutes
• 21 Allan
• 20 Matheus Gonçalves (82')
• 19 Lorran
• 6 Ayrton (73')
• 37 Carlos Alcaraz
• 23 David Luiz (82')
• 25 Matheus Cunha
• 99 Gabriel Barbosa (58')
• 52 Evertton Araújo
• 5 Erick Pulgar
• 22 Carlos Moises de Lima
• 43 Wesley (58')

Substitutions

Gabriel Barbosa (58', Gonzalo Plata), Wesley (58', Guillermo Varela), Leonardo Sequeira (66', Jaime Báez), Lucas Hernández (66', Javier Cabrera), Ayrton Lucas (73', Alex Sandro), Facundo Batista (76', Maximiliano Silvera), Matheus Gonçalves (82', Léo Ortiz), David Luiz (82', Fabrício Bruno), Gastón Ramírez (89', Eduardo Darias)

Cards

Referee: Facundo Tello
VAR Referee: Silvio Trucco, Héctor Paletta
Gonzalo Plata (20',Yellow), Léo Ortiz (62',Yellow)