The Red Devils aim to carve out a historic moment as they travel to confront the defending champions. Both sides kicked off the Copa Libertadores with defeats, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup in Group A, which also features Racing and Ecuador’s Aucas.
On a midweek night, the Chilean side faces a stern test against the current league leaders of South America’s premier club competition, with Jaime García’s squad searching for a turning point as they seek to climb out of the group stage cellar. The opening goal came from Matías Rojas, who struck from far out in a spectacular long-range effort, while Paolo Guerrero added the second after the break. Guerrero, at 39, remains a key figure with a long-standing scoring tally in the tournament, further cementing his status among Peru’s all-time greats in Copa Libertadores history.
Despite this rocky start, there is belief that Flamengo’s current wobble may offer an opening. Flamengo endured a midseason shakeup with the dismissal of coach Vítor Pereira after a disappointing Copa Carioca final loss to Fluminense. In parallel, Arturo Vidal and Eric Thumb’s Flamengo began their defense with a 2-1 defeat at home, a result that stung the defending champions in front of their home supporters. Meanwhile, Ñublense, opening in its seventh CONMEBOL campaign, kicked off with a loss to kick off their Libertadores journey. Matthew France had Ñublense in front, but Erick Castillo and Roberto Ordóñez responded to flip the score in favor of the Ecuadorians.
Ñublense’s history in international play is relatively sparse, with only two appearances in the Copa Sudamericana to date, in 2008 and 2022. Flamengo, on the other hand, has a storied past in the competition, having claimed titles in 1981, 2019, and more recently, adding to their trophy cabinet. This will be the first time Ñublense faces a Brazilian club in official competition. In the past, they had met teams like Sport Ancash of Peru and Unión La Calera, but never a Brazilian powerhouse on this stage.
Flamengo:
Flamengo is intent on retaining their Libertadores crown. The club carries a rich history in South American football, with a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars expected to push for a decisive performance as they defend their title on foreign soil.
Ñublense:
Ñublense will be aiming to recover from their opening setback by channeling the support of their fans and relying on quick, compact play to disrupt Flamengo’s rhythm. Their plan will likely hinge on disciplined defense and swift counterattacks as they look to claim a positive result away from home.
Citation: Goal