Soccer

Ecuador coach praises Gonzalo Plata, from Flamengo

Sebastián Beccacece says that the Mais Querido striker can play in any attacking role when talking about the player's return to the Ecuadorian national team

Gonzalo Plata was praised by the Ecuador coach - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
Gonzalo Plata was praised by the Ecuador coach - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

10 Out 2024 | 16:00 |

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Back to the Ecuador National Team after the controversy that kept him away from the Copa América, Gonzalo Plata was praised by coach Sebastián Beccacece. The Argentine coach decided to call up the Flamengo striker in his second list ahead of the national team. Beccacece justified the choice by highlighting Plata's quality and versatility, demonstrated in the few matches he played for Mais Querido.


Although he is originally a right winger, Plata played both on the left and in the center of the attack, including replacing Gabigol in two opportunities under the command of Filipe Luís. This ability to adapt impressed the Ecuador coach, who considered him a player capable of fulfilling several offensive roles.


“Gonzalo can play anywhere in front of attack, he already did it in Flamengo on the outside, behind the striker and also in number 9. He can play in these five positions and has already done so, I have the feeling that he is a player of all attack fronts”, said the coach at a press conference.


Plata, who is 23 years old and has already played 37 matches for the Ecuadorian national team, returns to the team after a seven-month absence. He had been a starter before being suspended due to a controversy in which, together with Arboleda (São Paulo), he was caught in a nightclub in the United States, taking Kendry Paez, who at the time was 16 years old.

Ecuador will face Paraguay this Thursday (10), in Quito, and will then play against Uruguay on the 17th of October. This second clash will bring together Plata with Flamengo's Uruguayans: Arrascaeta, De La Cruz and Varela.


These games in the Qualifiers could cause absences for Flamengo in the classic against Fluminense, scheduled for October 17th, in the 30th round of the Brazilian. In addition to Plata and the Uruguayans, Gerson, Fabrício Bruno and Erick Pulgar were also called up by Brazil and Chile, respectively. As the last game of the FIFA Date takes place on the 15th, the strain of the trip could affect the availability of these players for the decisive clash.



Soccer

Flamengo defeats Estudiantes and takes advantage in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores

Mengão takes victory to the return game against the Argentines that takes place on the 25th, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium

Flamengo beat Estudiantes at Maracanã and takes advantage of the return leg of the Libertadores - photo: reproduction
Flamengo beat Estudiantes at Maracanã and takes advantage of the return leg of the Libertadores - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 23:24 |

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Flamengo defeated Argentina's Estudiantes 2-1 at the Maracanã Stadium . The red-and-black team decided the match in the first half with goals from Pedro and Varela. Mengão gave Estudiantes no time to breathe in Rio de Janeiro with a lightning goal.


Just 15 seconds in, Pedro capitalized on a pass from Plata, turned on his marker, and fired a left-footed shot to open the scoring. The quick goal undermined Argentina's strategy and galvanized the Rio de Janeiro team, who continued to press. A few minutes later, Ayrton Lucas crossed from the left and Varela hit a beautiful volley into Muslera's corner, extending the red-and-blacks' lead in the first half.


RED-BLACK DOMINATION


Even with a two-goal lead, Flamengo maintained control and nearly made it three with Pedro, whose shot was spectacularly saved by the Uruguayan goalkeeper. Estudiantes , for their part, barely threatened Rossi's goal and only managed to partially level the score in the final minutes of the first half . The feeling at Maracanã was that the 2-0 scoreline was a cheap one for the visitors.

SECOND HOT WEATHER


In the second half, the pace dropped. Coach Eduardo Domínguez made substitutions, trying to give the Argentine team more momentum, but he ran into the red-and-black defense. The match was not without its tense moments, with cards for Saúl, Samuel Lino, and Alexis Castro, and Plata's sending-off after a second yellow card in a dispute with Facundo Rodríguez . At the end of the second half, Estudiantes scored in the 46th minute to leave the match open in Argentina.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

With the 2-1 victory, Flamengo takes the lead in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. The return leg is scheduled for the 25th, at 9:30 pm, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in Argentina. Before that, the team led by Tite faces Vasco next Sunday (21), for the Brazilian Championship, again at Maracanã.


Soccer

Pedro surpasses Paquetá's 'surreal' record at Flamengo and makes history

Striker scores after 14 seconds against Estudiantes, surpassing the records of former players and consolidating himself as one of the club's top scorers

Pedro scores after 14 seconds, scoring the fastest goal in Flamengo's history in the Libertadores and breaking records at Maracanã - photo: reproduction
Pedro scores after 14 seconds, scoring the fastest goal in Flamengo's history in the Libertadores and breaking records at Maracanã - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 22:53 |

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Forward Pedro needed just 14 seconds to open the scoring for Flamengo against Estudiantes in a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal match. The lightning strike became the Rubro-Negro's fastest goal in the competition's history , surpassing Gerson's record and also surpassing Lucas Paquetá's historic mark, which held the club's fastest goal in an official match.


Until then, Flamengo 's fastest goal in the Libertadores was Gerson's, who had scored after 56 seconds against Bolívar, in 2024. Even so, in the current edition of the tournament, Pedro's goal was the second fastest overall , behind only Artur's goal, from Botafogo, which shook the net against LDU after 13 seconds in the round of 16.


PEDRO'S NUMBERS FOR FLAMENGO


293 games

148 goals


35 assists

BOARD PLANS RENEWALS

According to an investigation by Gazeta do Urubu, the club's board intends to renew the contracts of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta in 2025. Pedro and goalkeeper Rossi are expected to have their contracts extended next season. Internally, there's no sign of the striker's dissatisfaction with the club.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

After beating Estudiantes at Maracanã this Thursday (18), Mengão faces Vasco next Sunday (21), for the Brazilian Championship. The match takes place again at the Rio de Janeiro team's stadium.


Soccer

Pedro scores historic goal in Flamengo vs Estudiantes match

The striker opens the scoring against Estudiantes at a packed Maracanã stadium, reaching his 150th goal in the red and black jersey and consolidating an important milestone in the Libertadores Cup

Pedro scores after 15 seconds against Estudiantes, reaching 150 goals for Flamengo and becoming a historic highlight in the Libertadores - photo: reproduction
Pedro scores after 15 seconds against Estudiantes, reaching 150 goals for Flamengo and becoming a historic highlight in the Libertadores - photo: reproduction

18 Set 2025 | 22:37 |

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Flamengo won an important chapter this Wednesday (18), in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . After just 15 seconds, Pedro scored against Estudiantes at a packed Maracanã, opening the scoring for the Rio de Janeiro team. The goal not only guaranteed an initial advantage in the duel but also marked the striker's 150th goal with the red-black shirt , equaling Bebeto in eighth place among the greatest scorers in the club's history.


The goal against Argentina also represented Pedro's 26th for Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, a figure that puts him behind only Gabigol, with 30 goals, in the club's all-time rankings in the tournament . Furthermore, the number 9 became the third-highest Brazilian scorer in the continental competition.


PEDRO'S GENERAL NUMBERS FOR FLAMENGO
  • 293 games
  • 150 goals
  • 35 assists
PEDRO'S PERFORMANCE IN THE SEASON
  • 30 games
  • 13 goals
  • 5 assists
FLAMENGO BOARD WANTS TO RENEW


According to information obtained by Gazeta do Urubu, the club's management intends to renew the contracts of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta in 2025. Pedro and goalkeeper Rossi are expected to have their contracts extended next season . Internally, there is no dissatisfaction surrounding the number 9.


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