Brazilian side Flamengo will play their first Copa Libertadores final in 38 years after a sensational 5-0 win over Grêmio booked them a place in next month’s showpiece event.
Jorge Jesus’ team will meet Argentinian outfit River Plate in Santiago, Chile, after completing a 6-1 aggregate win over their domestic counterparts on a memorable night at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium.
Having impressed observers during a first leg which finished 1-1 in Porto Alegre but left many feeling Flamengo were far more impressive, Jesus and his team proved their superiority over Grêmio with four second-half goals on Thursday evening. Bruno Henrique had put the home side ahead just before half time, before a stunning second from Gabriel Barbosa, who then scored a penalty before defensive duo Pablo Mari and Rodrigo Caio scored from set-pieces.
Flamengo, whose only triumph in the Copa Libertadores came during their sole appearance in the final in 1981, are currently competing for a league and continental double under former Braga, Benfica and Sporting boss Jesus, who was once again serenaded by the home fans throughout last night’s showing.
Nothing achieved yet - Jesus
"First of all, I want to thank the players for this feat, for this dream that for many years the Flamengo supporters had been searching for,” the Portuguese told reporters at the post-match press conference. "Today was a beautiful setting. Unique, I think, in the world. We are all to be congratulated. Reaching the final is important, but the most important thing is to win it. We are close, but we have achieved nothing yet.
“Of course I did not expect to win 5-0. But in Grêmio we could have won by two or three. VAR saved Grêmio. We studied them in detail, their positioning at corners. I told the players beforehand that we would score easily and we did!”
The meeting with defending South American champions River Plate next month represents Jesus’ third attempt at winning a continental trophy, having twice missed out on the Europa League with Benfica against Chelsea in 2013 and Sevilla in 2014.
"It is true that this is my third final [in international competition], it is very important. I've had two, which I lost: one on penalties and one after 92 minutes. Now it will be the third, but only those who win get there. Those who don't get to the finals will never lose, because they don't even get there.
"It’s a close line between sadness and happiness. But in Portugal we also often say that you go to a final to win it. With all due respect for our opponent, we want to go to a final to win.”
By Sean Gillen
