Del Valle beats Flamengo on penalties and is champion of the Recopa Sudamericana

This Tuesday, the 28th, Flamengo received Independiente Del Valle, at Maracanã, for the second leg of the great decision of the Recopa Sul-Americana. The Ecuadorians won the first leg, 1-0, which made the Cariocas play needing a victory by at least two goals difference, to win the title.

In a troubled first half, marked by the confused performance of the arbitration, Flamengo managed to be superior and created good chances to open the scoring, but ended up stopping in defense. The net was only rocked at the end of the second half, when Arrascaeta scored, to take the game to extra time and consequently to penalties, where Del Valle got the victory and won the title!

THE GAME

1st half

Needing to build the result at home after the defeat in the first leg, Flamengo launched the attack from the beginning of the game and gave work to the defense of Independiente Del Valle. In the 16th minute of the first half, Pedro scored after taking advantage of Ayrton Lucas’ finish, but the striker was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

During the game, the red-negro had the beam as an obstacle. First at 30 minutes, with a header by Thiago Maia that exploded on the right post, and then at 31 minutes, with a try by Ayrton Lucas who hit the crossbar. The Rio team pressed hard, but failed to break through the strong defense mounted by the Ecuadorians.

In the final stretch, already in stoppage time, Mengão was again in danger with a shot by Varela, already in the 51st minute, which forced Ramírez to make a great defense with his left foot. Then, at 52 minutes, Arrascaeta hit the header, which went close to the left post of the goal.

End of the first half at Maracanã: 0 to 0. #FLaxIDV#VamosFlamengopic.twitter.com/KKplMrekcQ

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 1, 2023

2nd TIME

Already in the second stage, Flamengo slowed down compared to the first half and appealed to the “muffle”. Unable to create great chances during the 45 minutes and under the shouts of “shameless team” that came from the stands, Mengão managed to score in the last minute of the game.

Gabigol crossed from the right to the second post, Everton Cebolinha dominated in the chest and rolled to the middle of the area, where Arrascaeta appeared free between the defenders, to push towards the nets, take Flamengo to extra time and give hope to the fans at Maracanã.

EXTENSION

In overtime, the teams began to feel tired, they became less objective, but Flamengo is the clear favorite to score the next goal. With Everton Cebolinha and Matheus Gonçalves as the most incisive players in this stage, Flamengo threatens, but fails to convert. At the end of extra time, the decision went to penalty kicks.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

In the penalty shootout, Arrascaeta wasted Flamengo’s first kick, which was saved by goalkeeper Ramírez. The Ecuadorians, in turn, hit all their charges and won the title. 5 to 4!