De Arrascaeta’s late goal lifts Flamengo into Copa Libertadores semifinals

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Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Brazil's Flamengo, left, scores his side's opening goal against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal second leg soccer match in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Brazil's Flamengo, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal second leg soccer match in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) — Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Brazil's Flamengo, left, scores his side's opening goal against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle during a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal second leg soccer match in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

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10:39 PM on Thursday, September 17

By The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored a late goal on Thursday as defending champion Flamengo of Brazil drew 1-1 with Ecuador's Independiente del Valle to advance to the Copa Libertadores semifinals.

Djorkaeff Reasco put the Ecuadorian side ahead in the 31st minute, but De Arrascaeta equalized for Flamengo in the 83rd minute, securing the team’s spot in the next round with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

“Mengão” — which played the final portion of the match with 10 men following Jorge Luiz Frello’s red card in the 65th minute — will face Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata, who pulled off an upset by defeating Corinthians on Wednesday.

Flamengo aims to become the first back-to-back Copa Libertadores champion since Palmeiras achieved the feat in 2020–21. The other semifinal will feature a matchup between Fluminense and Palmeiras.

Brazilian clubs are seeking to extend their recent dominance in the competition, having claimed the title for the past seven years. The last non-Brazilian team to win the tournament was Argentina’s River Plate in 2018.

The Copa Libertadores final takes place on Nov. 28 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.

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