Flamengo vs. Fluminense: Flamengo qualifies for the semifinals of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana
Flamengo featuring Miguel Trauco (who was a starter and played until minute 77) secured their spot in the semifinals of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana this Wednesday by drawing 3-3 against their archrival Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, after winning 1-0 in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
In a high tension match both on and off the field, the protagonists of the carioca classic thrilled their fans with a roller coaster of emotions: Fluminense opened the scoring with a goal at the 3-minute mark and even took a 3-1 lead, getting close to securing their qualification.
But 'Mengao', despite not having their star player, the Peruvian Paolo Guerrero, kept the pressure and managed to reduce the deficit until equalizing in the final minutes.
In the semifinals, Flamengo will face the winner of the match this Thursday between the Brazilian team Sport Recife and the Colombian team Junior de Barranquilla, who have a 2-goal advantage from the first leg as visitors.
Flamengo vs. Fluminense: The Lineups
Flamengo: Diego Alves; Pará, Juan, Rhodolfo and Trauco; Cuéllar, Arão and Diego; Éverton Ribeiro, Vizeu and Everton.
Fluminense: Cavalieri; Lucas, R. Chaves, Reginaldo and Marlon; Richard, Douglas, Sornoza and Scarpa; Marcos Jr. and H. Dourado
PRE-MATCH
Fluminense, who need to win by two goals to guarantee their spot, arrives at Maracaná with a clear challenge: defeat their archrival, something they have not been able to do this season. The 'tricolor' has closed the last seven classics with four draws and three losses.
| Country | Time |
| Peru | 18:45 |
| Mexico | 18:45 |
| Colombia | 18:45 |
| Ecuador | 18:45 |
| Argentina | 20:45 |
| Chile | 20:45 |
The coach Abel Braga acknowledged that Fluminense did not show their best face in the first leg, so he assured that for this match against Flamengo "we are prepared".
On the other hand, victory on Wednesday becomes necessary for a 'Fla' that started the year with great expectations with a high-budget team, but was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores and ended up being relegated to the Sudamericana to the astonishment of half the continent.
Guerrero, who is out of action due to a thigh injury, will also miss this match, with the expectation that he will return for the Brazilian championship next weekend and for the upcoming game of Peru in the playoff against New Zealand for a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Just over 30,000 spectators were present in the first leg. As of Tuesday, more than 22,000 tickets had been sold, reported the 'rubro-negro' club.
The winner of this tie will face the winner of the match between the Brazilian team Sport Recife and the Colombian team Junior de Barranquilla, who have a 2-goal advantage from the first leg as visitors, in the semifinals of the Sudamericana.
Flamengo vs. Fluminense: Potential Lineups
Flamengo: Diego Alves - Pará, Rhodolfo, Juan, Trauco, Cuéllar, Willian Arão, Diego, Éverton Ribeiro, Everton, Lucas Paquetá.
Fluminense: Diego Cavalieri - Lucas, Renato Chaves, Reginaldo, Marlon, Richard, Douglas, Sornoza, Gustavo Scarpa, Marcos Júnior, Henrique Dourado.