Maracanázo: América Pounds Flamengo.

By: Mauro | May 8th, 2008

WOW. That’s all I have to say about the result in this match today. WOW.

Coming into this match, América were down in the dumps. Coming off one of their worst league performances, losing their coach and having to overcome a 4-2 result at home, they were crawling into this match asking for pity.

Flamengo was coming into this match thinking about their most recent conquest in the Rio de Janeiro state championship and wanted to celebrate Joel Santana’s departure to South Africa. Well, they’d have to save the champagne for next year.

With a 0-0 draw Flamengo could have qualified. América needed a miracle that seemed almost impossible.

With the stage set, Flamengo came out and controlled the match with a few quick attempts on goal but América’s goal keeper Guillermo Ochoa kept his boys in it.

In the 20th minute, Salvador Cabañas took a hard, fast traveling shot and with a bit of luck it lobbed into Flamengo keeper Bruno’s goal. 1-0 and the whole stadium was in shock.

Not much later, Enrique Esqueda got the ball in a favorable position and was able to touch it past Bruno for the 2-0 scoreline. More shock.

In the second half, Santana sent in strikers Obina and Diego Tardelli to try o salvage the match but it was too late, América had grown too much in the first half to be denied and in the 77th minute, Cabañas again had a hard shot on goal, from a free kick this time, and beat Bruno yet again. 3-0 to América and dreams of the quarter finals danced in the Aguilas heads.

Flamengo tried to get some footing but because they were harried, they were unable to play some of that cohesive football they played in Mexico last week. And with that result América qualified to the the quarters where they will face the winner of the Santos-Cúcuta tie.

I had this match going 2-1 to Flamengo for obvious reasons. This was a true miracle and one of the bigger upsets in this year’s edition of the Copa Libertadores. Cabañas was huge for América as was Ochoa on more than one occasion.

Be sure to check the CONMEBOL website for results, stats and upcoming matches.