Flamengo Secures Last-Minute Victory Over Racing in Libertadores Semifinal
Flamengo secured a thrilling last-minute victory over Racing Club in the first leg of the Libertadores semifinals. This match, held on October 22, 2025, at the Maracanã Stadium, ended with a score of 1-0. The decisive goal came from Jorge Carrascal in the 43rd minute of the second half, securing an important lead for the Brazilian side.
Match Overview
This victory positions Flamengo favorably for the return leg, scheduled for October 29, 2025, in Buenos Aires. A draw in the second match would see them through to the final, while Racing must win by at least two goals to avoid penalties.
Key Events
- Date: October 22, 2025
- Location: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
- Attendance: 71,378 (65,704 paid)
- Revenue: R$ 9,714,891.25
- Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)
Game Highlights
The first half was intense but ended without any goals. Flamengo made tactical adjustments, replacing Léo Ortiz with Danilo in defense and bringing in Carrascal for Samuel Lino in the attack. Carrascal showed promise but faced challenges with his final passes and shots.
The gameplay featured a mix of pressure from both teams. While Flamengo had more possession, Racing’s defensive tactics made it difficult to create clear opportunities. Notably, De Arrascaeta hit the crossbar during the first half.
Second Half Excitement
In the second half, both teams pushed for a breakthrough. Racing nearly scored early on, but Sosa’s header was ruled out due to a foul. As the minutes passed, tension escalated until Carrascal made his mark in the 43rd minute.
After a deflected shot from Bruno Henrique, Carrascal was quick to react, scoring the winner after the ball hit Racing’s Rojo, settling into the net amidst roaring support from the Flamengos fans.
Team Lineups
| Flamengo | Racing |
|---|---|
| Rossi | Cambeses |
| Varela | Martirena |
| Léo Ortiz | Colombo |
| Léo Pereira | Marcos Rojo |
| Alex Sandro | Gabriel Rojas |
| Erick Pulgar | Sosa |
| Jorginho | Zuculini |
| Arrascaeta (Lino 25’) | Almendra (Nardoni 70’) |
| Luiz Araújo (Plata 80’) | Solari |
| Carrascal | Conechny |
| Pedro (Bruno Henrique 70’) | Adrián Martínez |
Conclusion
With this hard-fought victory, Flamengo takes a significant step towards possible glory in the Copa Libertadores. The team will look to maintain focus and capitalize on their advantage in the upcoming second leg against Racing.
