Flamengo secured a narrow victory over Cruzeiro on Wednesday night at the Maracanã Stadium, winning 2-1 in the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. The hosts needed everything to go right at the right time, and for once, fortune smiled on their side. Three victories from six matches in this competition suggests they understand the format better than most.
G. de Arrascaeta opened the scoring in the 35th minute, a moment that felt deserved after Flamengo pressed high and forced Cruzeiro into mistakes. Kaio Jorge thought he had doubled the visitors' lead just after the break, but his 48th-minute effort was cancelled by VAR. That decision stayed with you — you could see the frustration on the Brazilian striker's face.
Then came the shift. L. Romero equalised for Cruzeiro in the 51st minute, catching Flamengo's defence sleeping at the back. Samuel Lino responded in the 62nd minute, and that was the moment the match tilted. He played the second half a man up after G. de Arrascaeta was substituted, and the experience showed. By then, Flamengo had worked out how to control the tempo.
The statistics tell the fuller story. Flamengo registered 20 shots compared to Cruzeiro's 9, with expected goals of 2.23 against 0.48. They created four big chances while the visitors managed none. Shots accuracy was 38 per cent for the hosts versus 21 per cent — chances went begging on both sides, but Flamengo had more of them.
The result keeps Flamengo top of the group with 16 points from six games, five victories and a single draw. Cruzeiro remain second on 11 points, three wins and two draws. The gap widens, and the history between them adds an edge to what was always going to be a tight tie.