An early Willian Arao red card cost Flamengo a victory against LDU Quito on Wednesday at Maracanã. The Brazilian outfit ended up drawing the game 2-2, with Pedro opening the scoring in the first half and Gustavo Henrique leveling the score-line two minutes before the final whistle.
Franklin Guerra grabbed the equalizer for the Ecuadorians three minutes after Pedro had put the hosts in front in the 32nd minute. The defender rose higher and headed in Jordy Alcivar cross following a freekick, to make things level at half time.
With one man down for the majority of the game (since the 14th minute), the home side found it difficult to totally dominate the match. It was perhaps no surprise they conceded again in the hour mark. Jhojan Julio got past his marker with ease and struck a low shot into the back of the net, following a pass from Luis Amarilla in the 18-yard box.
Flamengo managed to control the game, even after trailing by a goal, and created several chances to equalize.
In the 88th minute, however, Gustavo Henrique got to the end of Giorgian De Arrascaeta’s cross, and headed in to make the score line all level, and guarantee Flamengo the qualification into the round of 16. On the flip side, the result meant LDU Quito were eliminated from the continental competition.
Flamengo will play Vélez, on Thursday next week, to decide the spot for first place. Before that, Flamengo plays the second game of the Carioca Championship final against Fluminense on Saturday, in Maracanã. The first leg ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
