Aucas, an absolute rookie in the Copa Libertadores, had the best possible performance at the most important club tournament in America: they beat Brazilian Flamengo, the current champion of the competition, 2-1. The match, historic for the Quito team, was played last Wednesday night at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda stadium.

Bump! Aucas beat Flamengo in their Copa Libertadores debut

The golden-red team, which won its first star in Ecuador’s Division of Honor in 2022, won an important and deserved victory with goals from Erick Castillo (58 minutes) and Roberto Ordóñez (85). Rio de Janeiro’s Rojinegro, who have the most fans in their country, were unable to hold on for a partial 1-0 victory after youngster Matheus Franco scored in the 38th.

Despite his physical discomfort, ‘Gabigol’ heads Flamengo’s payroll for the visit to Aucas

Elsewhere in Group A, Flamengo will host Chile’s Ñublense in Rio de Janeiro on April 19, while Racing host Aucas in Avellaneda the following day (Racing beat Chillán’s side 2-0 away).

Filipe Luís and the difficulty of playing at the peak of Quito: “Too much suffering, we survived”

According to the agency AFP The result in the capital was “a very heavy blow to the ego of Brazilian Flamengo. After missing out on the South American Cup Winners’ Cup a month ago against Independiente del Valle, Flamengo continued to slump in their international appearances, going down 2-1 on this occasion in Quito against lowly Aucas, absolute newcomers to the Libertadores”.

They told several Brazilian newspapers about the slip of the mighty team of Rio de Janeiro on the field of Chillogallo.

or a globe: “Flamengo flirted with danger by sending an alternative team to the stadium at the height of Ecuador and suffered an unexpected defeat in their Libertadores debut. With an apathetic game in defense and attack, the defending champions failed to overcome the modest and rookie Aucas, and lost 2-1 in return. At 2,850 meters, he lacked more than oxygen. Coach Vítor Pereira stretched the rope too far by booking key players for the second leg against Fluminense on Sunday in the Carioca Championship.

Kiks Flamenga was a rarity in recent history. Since 2014, the team has not lost in its debut in the Libertadores. The last one was against León from Mexico. Since then, the red and black team has been scoring good results.”

Extra: “Reigning champions and contenders for a fourth Copa Libertadores, Flamengo could have started their career in the competition showing why they are the team to beat, but they started with a disappointing performance against Aucas, who won the return to Quito: 2-1. Despite experienced names such as Filipe Luís, Éverton Ribeiro, Arturo Vidal and Rodrigo Caio, Flamengo’s defensive behavior once again caused concern, with little mobility and positioning errors. In the attack, Gabigol did not use the opportunities and missed four balls in which he had freedom. Castillo equalized in the second half, when the team from Rio appeared tired and disorganized. In the end, Roberto Ordóñez turned the score around”.

or day: “Flamengo lost 2-1 to Aucas and thwarted the start of their career in continental competition. The team took the field with an incredible lineup. Vítor Pereira decided to start the match with an alternate team, saving most of the starters with a view to next Sunday’s match, against Fluminense, in the final of the Carioca Championship. Already showing signs of fatigue at the top of Quito, Flamengo gave up space and failed to prevent Aucas’ comeback. In the last minutes of the match, Flamengo created a danger with Gabigola, the goalkeeper Aucas saved with his head, and Gerson finished unluckily from the middle of the field. Without great offensive power, Flamengo did not know how to react and confirmed the defeat at the final whistle”.

Throwing: “Flamengo played badly and lost to Aucas, making their debut in the Libertadores

Vítor Pereira’s team had an apathetic performance and experienced a turnover on the scoreboard. With no reaction – whether due to exhaustion or for some other reason – Flamengo were indifferent against the increasingly confident Aucas. If Gabigol missed the chances for his goal, Aucas was much more effective. In the 58th minute, Flamengo’s goalkeeper could do nothing when Erick Castillo eluded Pablo’s marking, dragged him to the edge of the penalty area and struck hard to keep everything level. In the 85th Roberto Ordóñez received the ball from behind the defender and touched the goalkeeper Santos to score a goal. Since then, small football”. (D)