Flamengo beat Estudiantes 1-0 on the night of Wednesday, May 20th at Maracanã. Pedro scored the winning goal in the second half. The result guaranteed the early classification of the red and black team for the round of 16 of the Libertadores. Nas social networks, fans sent messages to Carlo Ancelotti after the center forward’s performance.
The number 9 was not part of the final Seleção Brasileira list for Copa of Mundo announced by the Italian coach on Monday. Pedro took the chance to respond on the field. The fans celebrated the goal and used the moment to call for a call that didn’t come.
Torcida charges Ancelotti in the net after Pedro’s goal
Mensagens quickly circulated on digital platforms. Torcedores highlighted the striker’s eye for goal and questioned his absence from the list of 26 names. One of the most repeated comments recalled Pedro’s opportunism in the goal play. Outros reinforced the player’s consistent performance throughout the season.
Flamengo dominated the clash at home, but needed patience. The first half showed little inspiration. The team suffered from a lack of control over possession and saw Estudiantes pose a danger from an aerial ball early on.
Primeiro time with few chances and boos at halftime
Estudiantes created the main opportunity after five minutes in a high play. Flamengo was unable to impose a rhythm. Long Passes toward Bruno Henrique had no effect. Aos 32 minutes, referee Esteban Ostojich awarded a penalty for Meza on Bruno Henrique, but the VAR corrected it and indicated a foul outside the area. The fans booed the team as they left for the locker room.
- Flamengo abused long balls without success
- Estudiantes explored the aerial ball well at the beginning
- Lance controversial penalty sparked complaints
- Apathetic Atuação led to fan protests
Segundo timing with counterattacks and Pedro’s decision
The team came back with a different stance. Apostou in fast transitions. Léo Pereira was threatened with a free kick. Pouco later, Pedro took advantage of the goalkeeper’s mistake and blasted the net with his left leg. The goal came in the 19th minute of the second half. The number 9 even risked a bicycle after a pass from Paquetá, but the ball went out.
The goal guaranteed the three points and a place in the round of 16. With the result, Flamengo reached 10 points on Grupo A and leads the bracket. The team is still awaiting a definition of the points for the canceled game against Independiente Medellín.
Classificação forwarded and fights for overall leadership
The triumph left Flamengo in a good position. Mesmo without the points from the suspended match in Colômbia, the team fights to finish as the best first place in the group stage. The next match in the tournament is against Cusco.
Leonardo Jardim commanded the team with a lineup that mixed ownership and rotation. Pedro was the name of the game and received praise for its coolness when defining it.
Ficha technique and match lineups
Flamengo 1 x 0 Estudiantes Libertadores – 5th round Data:May 20, 2026, 9:30 pmLocal:Maracanã, Rio of Janeiro (RJ)Gol:Pedro, 19 minutes into the second half
Escalação from Flamengo:Rossi; Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas; Evertton Araújo (Paquetá), Jorginho, Carrascal (Wallace Yan); Luiz Araújo (Samuel Lino), Bruno Henrique (De la Cruz), Pedro (Varela). Técnico: Leonardo Jardim.
Escalação from Estudiantes:Muslera; Mesa, Núñez, Pírez, Palacios (Pérez); Amondarain (Gaich), Piovi (Neves), Castro (Farías); Palacios, Carrillo, Aguirre (Cetre). Técnico: Alexander Medina.
Cartões yellow:Evertton Araújo and Luiz Araújo (Flamengo); Piovi, Meza, Palacios and Pírez (Estudiantes).Árbitro:Esteban Ostojich (Uruguai).
Flamengo now turns its attention to Campeonato Brasileiro. The victory at Maracanã brought relief and revived the fans’ spirits. Pedro once again showed the level that places him among the main strikers in the country. The charge on social media reflects the expectations surrounding the attacker. The red-black team remains alive in search of more titles this season.
