AT A PRESENTATION COLLECTIVE, LÉO ORTIZ REVEALS WHICH TITLE HE DREAMS TO WIN AT FLAMENGO

Estudiantes secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores after drawing 0-0 with Cerro Porteño on Wednesday night (20) at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium in La Plata, Greater Buenos Aires. With the result, the Argentine team advanced to face Mais Querido in the next phase of the competition. The return match will be held in Argentina again, as the Argentines had a superior campaign in the group stage.

Flamengo confirmed its favoritism by eliminating Internacional. After winning 1-0 at Maracanã, Filipe Luís's team also triumphed on the road, winning 2-0 at Beira-Rio . The goals of the match were scored by Arrascaeta, in the first half, and Pedro, who came on as a substitute during the second half and sealed the victory.

Just 26 minutes into the first half, Samuel Lino advanced down the left and shot. Goalkeeper Rochet miskicked the ball, Plata headed it, and Arrascaeta appeared to finish first time , scoring his 15th goal of the season. Shortly after, Bruno Henrique found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

PEDRO COMES IN THE SECOND HALF

In the final stretch of the match, striker Pedro came off the bench to replace Bruno Henrique and made his mark . In the 42nd minute of the second half, after a corner kick from Luiz Araújo and a deflection from Léo Pereira, the center forward finished into the back of the net, sealing the victory and qualification.

FLAMENGO DECIDES AWAY AGAIN

With the victories over Internacional , the Rubro-Negro remains firmly in the hunt for the continental title . Their next opponent will be Estudiantes, who will decide the spot at home. The first match will be at Maracanã, and the return leg is scheduled for La Plata, promising a tight duel in the hunt for the competition's semifinals.

Flamengo qualified for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores after defeating Internacional 2-0. The match started evenly, with Internacional trying to press in the opening minutes. Despite this, the home team failed to convert possession into clear-cut chances. Flamengo capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Rochet and opened the scoring with Arrascaeta , who finished into the net after a play initiated by Samuel Lino and Plata.

The Uruguayan, the season's standout, reached 15 goals and 11 assists in 2025, playing a key role in the team's campaign. In the final stage, Flamengo controlled the pace and exploited counterattacks effectively.

Pedro extended the lead after a corner kick from Luiz Araújo, capitalizing on a deflection from Léo Pereira to score the second. Internacional still tried to fight back, even hitting the post with a shot from Borré, but were thwarted by the opponent's solid defense and a strong performance from Rossi.

INTERNATIONAL CANNOT REACT

Despite the support of more than 43,000 fans at Beira-Rio, Colorado failed to convert its crowd into offensive effectiveness. Roger Machado's changes barely changed the game's complexion. Enner Valencia and Ricardo Mathias had chances but were unable to overcome the red-and-black defense.

FLAMENGO SHOWS MATURITY

With a 2-0 victory, the Rio de Janeiro team secures a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores and keeps alive the hope of expanding its international trove of achievements. The team now turns its attention to the season's upcoming matches , buoyed by the consistency and confidence gained in this qualification.

This Wednesday (20), Flamengo is ready to face Internacional again, now for the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, at the Beira-Rio Stadium. After winning the first leg 1-0, at the Maracanã, and beating the opponent again last Sunday (17), 3-1, for the Brazilian Championship, the Mais Querido arrives packed and with morale for the decisive confrontation.

The Rio de Janeiro team, currently the sole leader of the Brasileirão, is targeting the continental tournament in search of a place in the quarterfinals. With the advantage of a draw, the goal is to continue its quest for a fourth Libertadores title. In the group stage, the club finished second in Group C, totaling 11 points, the same as leaders LDU, with four wins, two draws, and only one loss.

FLAMENGO DEFINED

With Erick Pulgar out injured, the coach is counting on Arrascaeta , Bruno Henrique, and midfield reinforcements to maintain the team's consistency against Internacional. The red-and-black lineup has already been confirmed for the match at Beira-Rio. The coach will field the following formation: Agustín Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro; Saúl, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta; Gonzalo Plata, Samuel Lino, and Bruno Henrique.

URUGUAYAN ARBITRATION

Experienced in decisive CONMEBOL matches, Esteban Ostojich will be the referee for the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 clash. CONMEBOL has appointed Uruguayan Esteban Ostojich as the referee for the match. With a history of decisive matches in the continental competition, the referee once again takes charge of a game of great importance.

RETROSPECT BETWEEN THE TEAMS

Flamengo has the advantage in overall head-to-head record and remains undefeated against Colorado in Copa Libertadores matches. With their recent Brasileirão triumph, Flamengo has now leveled the playing field and now has 40 wins to Internacional's 39, with 34 draws in 113 meetings. In the Copa Libertadores, there are five clashes: two group stage matches in 1993, two quarterfinals in 2019, and one in the round of 16 in 2025.