September 26 – Flamengo and LDU Quito have advanced to the last four of the Copa Libertadores, with the prospect of another all-Brazilian final still alive.
The Ecuadorian club eliminated Sao Paulo 3-0 on aggregate after taking a 2-0 lead from the first leg to Brazil. Jeison Medina scored in the first half to ensure their passage to the last four for the first time since 2008 when they won the competition, defeating Fluminense in the final. In the semi-finals, LDU will play Palmeiras.
In Thursday’s other quarter-final, Flamengo laboured to defeat Estudiantes of Argentina from the penalty spot after losing the second leg 1-0 following a goal from Gaston Benedetti. That same Benedetti and Santiago Ascacibar failed to convert their penalties in the shootout for Flamengo to prevail 4-2.
“It was a very difficult match; our opponent made a huge defensive sacrifice,” said Flamengo manager Filipe Luis.
“All the players were very involved in the defence. They forced us to come inside to counterattack. At the same time, they gave up space, they took advantage of lost possession, and this created frustration, causing the team to break up a lot during the game, especially their attacking style, which involves long balls to the attacker and playing on the outside. This type of match isn’t easy; it’s difficult to play in the Libertadores quarterfinals. Maybe tomorrow’s headlines will be ‘Flamengo goes through, but…’ There’s always the ‘but’, but there is just one headline: ‘Flamengo is in the semifinals’.”
It’s the first time since 2022 that Flamengo have reached the semi-finals and the Brazilian clubs will be heavily favoured to progress from the last four against Argentina’s Racing Club and set up a sixth consecutive all-Brazilian final.
In 2019, River Plate were the last non-Brazilian club to feature in the showpiece match. A year earlier, they were also the last side from outside Brazil to win the competition.
This season’s Copa Libertadores final will be staged in Lima, Peru in November.
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