Flamengo outclasses Barcelona to reach Copa final
Flamengo eased past Barcelona SC 4-0 on aggregate to set up a Copa Libertadores final showdown against Palmeiras.
Flamengo will face Copa Libertadores champion Palmeiras in an all-Brazilian final after Bruno Henrique continued his red-hot form in Thursday's (AEST) 2-0 victory at Barcelona.
After scoring a brace in the opening leg, Flamengo star Bruno Henrique scored another two goals to set up a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate triumph over the Ecuadorian side.
Flamengo is unbeaten in its last 17 matches in the Libertadores (W12 D5) – the joint-longest undefeated streak of any team in the history of the tournament, alongside Sporting Cristal from 1962 to 1969 (W8 D9).
Two-time South American champions Flamengo – who last prevailed in 2019 – and holders Palmeiras will meet in the Libertadores showpiece on neutral ground in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo on November 27.
Bruno Henrique broke the deadlock in the 18th minute away to Barcelona in Guayaquil – the forward breaking the offside trap before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net.
Having provided the assist in the first half, Everton Ribeiro was the provider again for Bruno Henrique five minutes into the second period.
Starting from the goalkeeper, Flamengo navigated Barcelona's high press, keeping the ball before a swift move resulted in Bruno Henrique completing a stunning team move.
Bruno Henrique (16) and team-mate Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa (21) have together scored more than half of Flamengo's goals in the last three editions of the Libertadores (37 of 73).