Flamengo secured a crucial 1-0 win over Racing Club on Wednesday in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinals at the Maracanã Stadium, thanks to a late goal from Colombian playmaker Jorge Carrascal. The match featured high tension, VAR drama, and missed chances for both sides.

The Brazilian giants, playing their seventh semifinal in the competition, now only need a draw in the return leg next Wednesday in Avellaneda to advance to the final. Racing, who have not lifted the trophy since 1967, came close to leaving Rio de Janeiro with a draw but ultimately succumbed to Flamengo’s relentless pressure.

The winner of this series will face either Palmeiras or LDU Quito in the Copa Libertadores final.

Flamengo began aggressively from the opening whistle, with a front three of Pedro, Carrascal, and Luiz Araújo. However, Racing pressed high and disrupted the hosts’ build-up play, forcing them to rely on long balls and individual efforts.

The first real danger came at the 5-minute mark when Carrascal set up Giorgian De Arrascaeta in the box, though the Uruguayan couldn’t control the ball. Moments later, De Arrascaeta struck the post.

Racing responded quickly with Marcos Rojo sending a cross that Adrián Martínez narrowly missed converting. Zuculini also had a clear chance early on but fired off target.

As the match progressed, Flamengo began to dominate possession, while Racing relied on counterattacks. In the 33rd minute, Rossi denied Solari’s header from a corner kick with a superb save. At the other end, Arrascaeta found Guillermo Varela free on the right, but the Uruguayan full-back missed his shot.

The first half ended with Flamengo piling on pressure, forcing multiple saves from Cambeses, particularly from Pedro.

The second half saw Flamengo in total control. Arrascaeta nearly scored directly from a corner, and both he and Carrascal continued to test Racing’s defense.

Racing thought they had taken the lead in the 56th minute when Sosa’s header found the net, but the goal was disallowed after VAR spotted a foul on Carrascal. Just a minute later, Cambeses denied another powerful strike from Arrascaeta.

Flamengo’s best chance came in the 76th minute when Carrascal’s play set up Samuel Lino, but the Argentine goalkeeper once again produced a brilliant save. Minutes later, Lino found the net with a header from Erick Pulgar’s pass, but VAR ruled it offside.

Finally, in the 88th minute, Flamengo’s persistence paid off. Carrascal capitalized on a rebound after Bruno Henrique’s effort, and his shot deflected off Marcos Rojo before beating Cambeses, sealing a vital win for the home side.

With this narrow advantage, Flamengo will head to Avellaneda with one foot in the final — but Racing still have everything to play for in front of their fans.