Flamengo played out to a 1-1 stalemate against Racing in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16 on Tuesday in Argentina. Gabigol, back on the team after injury, secured the crucial goal for Fla which spared their blushes from a defeat.
Flamengo also saw Thuler sent off towards the end of the game and had to hold the pressure of their Argentine opponents in the last minutes.
After 10 days out of the team due to a thigh injury, Gabigol was back on the field. He marked his return with a goal via a beautiful move built by Bruno Henrique. The goal was a quick response from Fla two minutes after Fértoli opened the scoring for Racing. With that goal, the number 9 became the second highest scorer for Flamengo in the history of Libertadores with 11 goals, behind only Zico.
Late on, Thuler defender received a red card after his actions were review by VAR. After the expulsion, Flamengo had to withdraw and just hold on to a draw.
The match had three goals canceled. Flamengo’s was from Arrascaeta but the VAR showed Vitinho’s impediment at the beginning of the play. For Racing, the video referee pointed out a foul after a goal by Lisandro López, and then an impediment in a free kick that resulted in a goal as well.
Flamengo and Racing will face each other again next Tuesday, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The Brazilian team qualifies in the event of a win or a goalless draw. The Argentines advance with a simple triumph or draw by two goals or more.
