Gastón Verón came on like cavalry reinforcements and, just four minutes after stepping onto the pitch at the Estadio Único, in the 61st minute, he scored the equalizer (1-1) that saved Central Córdoba, sent them to the top of Group C in the Copa Libertadores, and left Flamengo in a deep crisis.

Filipe Luís' men had reasons to feel relieved early on when Uruguayan playmaker Giorgian De Arrascaeta tipped the balance in Flamengo’s favor with a goal in the 10th minute.

The players of Central Córdoba appeared stunned by the early blow and looked lost on their own turf in the minutes that followed.

Flamengo could have extended their lead, but missed opportunities didn’t seem to worry their coach—perhaps because the home team’s disorganized attacks did little to trouble Agustín Rossi in goal.

That was until Verón, who turned 24 on April 23, entered the match in the 56th minute, replacing midfielder Nicolás Quagliata.

The game completely shifted. The side from Santiago del Estero took control, while the red-and-black visitors looked like boxers clinging to their opponent to avoid a knockout, desperately trying to block every path to goal and begging for the clock to run out.

Earlier in the day, in Venezuela, Deportivo Táchira fell 2-3 to LDU Quito, who now lead the group with 8 points, the same as second-place Central Córdoba.

Flamengo, with just 5 points, have severely jeopardized their chances of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores round of 16, while Deportivo Táchira, already eliminated, sit at the bottom of the group with zero.

Matchday 5, the penultimate round of the group stage, will kick off on May 13 with Deportivo Táchira vs. Central Córdoba at the Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristóbal.

It will wrap up two days later with Flamengo vs. LDU Quito in Rio de Janeiro.