In a stunning turn of events at the Maracanã on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Central Córdoba from Argentina claimed a historic 2-1 victory over Brazil's Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores. This marked the first time the Argentine side has ever triumphed in the prestigious tournament, while simultaneously ending Flamengo's 27-match unbeaten streak under coach Filipe Luís.
The match got off to a promising start for Flamengo, who were eager to build on their recent 1-0 victory over Deportivo Táchira. Just one minute into the game, Juninho had a clear chance to put the home side ahead, but his shot was blocked by an opposing defender. Bruno Henrique also squandered an opportunity shortly thereafter, failing to convert when faced with Central Córdoba's goalkeeper, Aguerre.
However, it was Central Córdoba who struck first. At the 35-minute mark, a handball by Léo Pereira in the penalty area led to a VAR review, resulting in a penalty kick awarded to the visitors. Heredia stepped up to take the spot-kick and successfully converted, giving Central Córdoba a 1-0 lead.
Emboldened by their advantage, the Argentine team retreated into a defensive posture, allowing Flamengo to dominate possession. Yet, the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances and found themselves further behind just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Cufré delivered a well-placed free kick that found José Florentín, who headed the ball into the net, doubling Central Córdoba's lead to 2-0.
Flamengo returned for the second half determined to claw their way back into the match. Their efforts paid off in the 60th minute when Nicolás de la Cruz scored a stunning free kick, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. The atmosphere in the stadium shifted as the home crowd rallied behind their team.
Despite their renewed energy, Flamengo faced a resilient Central Córdoba defense. The visitors threatened to extend their lead on the counterattack, with Miguel Angulo testing Flamengo's goalkeeper Agustín Rossi, who made a crucial save to keep his team in the game.
As the match approached its conclusion, Flamengo ramped up their offensive efforts, with the game entering seven minutes of added time. Bruno Henrique had a golden opportunity to equalize in the dying moments but missed a critical chance, hitting the post instead. The final whistle confirmed Central Córdoba's victory, sending shockwaves through the Flamengo camp.
"We're very happy to secure our first three points in the Copa Libertadores against a great rival. We were just winners, and we had many opportunities to extend our lead," said Central Córdoba's coach Omar De Felippe in a post-match interview. He expressed mixed feelings about the match, noting, "I’m a bit upset because we had many chances to increase the score." His sentiments reflected the team's strong performance, which was a cause for celebration in Santiago del Estero.
For Flamengo, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, especially as it marked the end of a remarkable unbeaten streak for coach Filipe Luís, whose last loss had been in October 2024 against Fluminense. The team now sits with three points in Group C of the Libertadores, trailing Central Córdoba, who leads with four.
As the dust settles on this shocking result, Flamengo's upcoming matches will be crucial for their campaign. They are set to face LDU in Quito, Ecuador, on Tuesday, April 13, 2025, followed by two more Brazilian league fixtures against Grêmio and Juventude. Meanwhile, Central Córdoba will look to build on their momentum when they host Deportivo Táchira on April 24.
In another match on the same day, Palmeiras continued their perfect start to the Libertadores group stage, defeating Cerro Porteño 1-0 at Allianz Parque. Gabriel Jesus was in attendance to witness his former team secure all three points, placing them at the top of Group A with six points.
Palmeiras' victory came courtesy of a lone goal, solidifying their status as a formidable contender in this year's tournament. They will next face Bolívar in La Paz, Bolivia, in a match set to test their mettle at high altitude.
As the Copa Libertadores heats up, fans can expect thrilling encounters as teams vie for supremacy in South America's most prestigious club competition. With Central Córdoba's historic win over Flamengo and Palmeiras' continued dominance, the stage is set for an exciting tournament ahead.
