Flamengo beats Cruzeiro to reach Libertadores quarterfinals

Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Samuel Lino scored in each half as Flamengo reached the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals with a 2-1 home win over Cruzeiro on Wednesday.

Kaio Jorge (C) of Cruzeiro controls the ball during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Cruzeiro at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 19, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)

De Arrascaeta opened the scoring with a 35th-minute strike, but the visitors equalized through Lucas Romero's long-range effort early in the second half.

Former Atletico Madrid winger Samuel Lino restored Flamengo's lead just after the hour with a composed finish after combining with Pedro.

The result gave Flamengo a 3-2 win on aggregate and set up a quarterfinal clash against either Independiente del Valle or Tolima.

In Asuncion, a 41st-minute goal from Gustavo Gomez against Cerro Porteno sent Palmeiras into the last eight. The Brazilian club prevailed 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate, booking a quarterfinal clash against either Mirassol or LDU Quito.

In Wednesday's other Copa Libertadores fixture, Platense advanced with a 7-6 penalty shootout win over Coquimbo.