The highlight of the match was the Colombian Carrascal, who scored the only goal of the match
Flamengo and race they faced each other in the first match of the semi-finals of Conmebol Libertadoresand Rubro-Negro prevailed in this great decision. The 1-0 victory gives Filipe Luís’ team some peace of mind as they seek a place in the final at the Presidente Perón Stadium, the El Cilindroin Avellaneda. The highlight of the match was the Colombian Carrascal, who scored the only goal of the match.
FIRST HALF
The first half was pure tension at the Maracanã. Flamengo and Racing start the match at a fast pace, with a lot of competition and long balls from both sides. Pushed by the fans, Rubro-Negro had their first big chance after just four minutes, when Carrascal made a nice move on the left and found Arrascaeta, who controlled it poorly inside the area and wasted the shot. In the next move, the Argentine team responded, but the assistant signaled offside.
Nervousness takes over in the first minutes and Flamengo struggles to adapt their game in the face of Racing’s high marking. Even so, Carrascal once again found himself in danger when he risked a nice shot in the corner, forcing Cambeses into a great save. Avellaneda’s team focuses on long balls with Zuculini, while Rio’s team struggles to create and sees Léo Pereira being the most used in releasing the ball.

As time passed, Flamengo began to find spaces, especially on the left with Carrascal. In one of these plays, the Colombian made a beautiful attack, crossed for Varela and the ball fell to Pedro, who finished well, but stopped after a great save from Cambeses. The center forward also tried to pedal Luiz Araújo’s corner kick, but sent it wide.
In the final minutes of the opening phase, FilipeLuis’ team pressed again. Carrascal crossed again from the left and found Arrascaeta, who weakly headed the save from the Argentine goalkeeper. Despite the good opportunities created, Flamengo was unable to finish and went into half-time with a goalless draw, in a first half with intensity and nervousness typical of a Libertadores semi-final.
SECOND HALF
Flamengo returned in the second half with intensity and looked for a goal from the first minutes. Carrascal, the team’s star in the opening phase, continued to be the most dangerous player and created good chances immediately after the break. Racing, for its part, changes its attitude: it stops pressing high and begins to defend with caution, relying on counterattacks and long ball plays with Colombo.
The Argentine team finds the net from a corner taken by Martirena, but the goal is disallowed due to a foul by Sosa on Carrascal at the origin of the shot. The match became more truncated, with many fouls and protests from the Racing technical committee. Flamengo, despite having greater possession of the ball, had difficulty breaking through the opposition’s defense and wasted a good opportunity with a free kick from Léo Pereira, which stopped against the wall.

As time passed, the tension in the stands and on the pitch increased. Samuel Lino came close to taking the lead with a nice move on the right, but Cambeses made a spectacular save. Shortly afterwards, Pulgar launched the striker, who headed through the coverage and scored, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, further increasing the apprehension at the Maracanã.
The Rossoneri’s pressure finally paid off in the final minutes. Carrascal throws Bruno Henrique, who shoots against the Cambeses defense. On the rebound, the Colombian himself finished and had a deflection on Rojo to score the winning goal. Flamengo overcomes nervousness, beats Racing 1-0 and wins the Libertadores semi-final in front of the crowd.
AGENDA
Flamengo will now return to action next Saturday, against Fortaleza in the Brasileirão. Next week the Rossoneri team will try to qualify for the EL Cilindro final, against Racing.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – OCTOBER 22: Jorge Carrascal of Flamengo reacts during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2025 first leg semi-final match between Flamengo and Racing Club at Maracana Stadium on October 22, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
Photo: Esporte News Mundo
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – OCTOBER 22: Bruno Henrique of Flamengo reacts during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2025 first leg semi-final match between Flamengo and Racing Club at Maracana Stadium on October 22, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Dhavid Normando/Getty Images)
Photo: Esporte News Mundo
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