Flamengo heads into the second leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final with a narrow lead as they prepare to face Racing Club in Argentina. The first match in Rio de Janeiro showcased Flamengo’s dominance, as they controlled 72% of the possession and managed 19 attempts on goal compared to Racing’s minimal three. Despite this, it wasn’t until the 88th minute that Jorge Carrascal broke the deadlock, sealing a 1-0 victory for Flamengo.
Racing Club managed to hold Flamengo at bay for nearly the entire match, displaying commendable discipline. Nevertheless, their performance was characterized by a struggle to keep pace with a sharper and more dynamic Flamengo, leaving them with a single goal deficit to overcome in the second leg.
Fans can catch the live stream of the match in the United States via Fubo, Fanatiz, beIN SPORTS, and beIN SPORTS Connect. For those traveling outside the U.S., using a virtual private network (VPN) may be necessary to access streaming services.
The match will take place at Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET on Wednesday, October 29.
In terms of team news, Racing Club is currently contending with injuries to Alan Forneris, Franco Pardo, and Elias Torres, which could affect their lineup. However, coach Gustavo Costas still has a strong squad to rely on, with Adrian Martinez being a key figure to watch. Martinez is the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals but missed a crucial chance in the first leg, and he’ll need to elevate his performance in this decisive match.
Flamengo, however, will have to cope without star striker Pedro, who is sidelined due to a broken hand. Everton is also unavailable, along with Leo Ortiz and Nicolas de la Cruz, the latter of whom is ill. This translates to increased responsibility on Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Flamengo’s creative lynchpin, who made a significant impact in the first leg with his proximity to goal and numerous touches in the box.
As the two teams prepare for what promises to be an intense encounter, Flamengo hopes to maintain their edge while Racing Club seeks to overturn the deficit and advance to the finals. With both teams facing challenges and relying on key players, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the semi-final tie.