SAO PAULO, Sep 8: Flamengo of Brazil reached its third Copa Libertadores final in four years after a 2-1 home win against Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield on Wednesday. The Rio de Janeiro team won the first leg in Buenos Aires 4-0 last week.
Flamengo’s rival at the Oct. 29 decider in Guayaquil, Ecuador, will be fellow Brazilian side Athletico, which beat defending champions Palmeiras on Tuesday.
It will be the third consecutive all-Brazilian final of South America’s most prestigious club tournament.
Veteran Lucas Pratto opened the scoring for the visitors at the Maracana Stadium in the 21st minute from close range. Striker Pedro, who is expected to be in Brazil’s squad for two pre-World Cup friendlies, equalized in the 42nd minute.
The 25-year-old Pedro set up Marinho in the 68th minute for the winner.
Flamengo, which recently signed Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, is still unbeaten in the tournament and are considered favourites. (AP)
