Flamengo did its job on the last day of the Copa Libertadores by beating Millonarios (Colombia) 3-0 at the Maracaná, although the result was not enough to finish first in Group E. Tite’s team, one of the favorites to lift the title, qualified for the round of 16 behind Bolívar (Bolivia), who also beat Palestino (Chile) 3-1 at home.
Going through the phase as second means that the fight for their fourth crown in the top continental competition will be uphill for Mengão. In principle, the draw on June 3 will align them in a bracket with a club that has led their group,and in addition the second match of the bracket will define them as a visitor.
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In the three Libertadores that it won in its history, the Rio team finished first. In the 1981 edition, only the leaders of each group went to a second phase, in which they were then divided into two zones and they played all against all and it was the team led by Zico that reached the final, in which they beat Cobreloa (Chile).
👏 ¡Los 13 equipos ya clasificados a los octavos de final de la CONMEBOL #Libertadores! #GloriaEterna pic.twitter.com/fVMc9vWNKe
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) May 29, 2024
Some 38 years later, in 2019, Flamengo lifted the Libertadores again after beating River, in a final that was played in a single match for the first time and in a neutral stadium (the Monumental in Lima). They earned their place in the round of 16 as first in Group D, in a very even definition with Liga de Quito (Ecuador) and Peñarol (Uruguay) that was resolved by goal difference.
He had much fewer problems qualifying in 2022, the year in which he lifted the cup for the third and last time. They went undefeated in Group H with 16 points, the product of five wins and one draw.
River, the last precedent of a champion who did not lead his group
The last time a group runner-up lifted the title was in 2015. River Plate had to wait until the last day to seal their place in the round of 16, which came thanks to Tigres (Mexico), with substitutes, beating Juan Aurich (Peru) in a dramatic 5-4.
Fate then caused River and Tigres to meet in the final. It was a goalless draw in the first leg in Monterrey and a 3-0 victory in Buenos Aires for the team led by Marcelo Gallardo at the time.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
