Brazilian Flamenco Copa Libertadores advanced to the final of the Copa del Rey, beating Ecuadorian Barcelona 2-0 on Wednesday in a tie with the European Champions League in South America. .

At the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Flamenco, the champion of the 2019 edition, ended a one-sided match in its first half after senior striker Bruno Henrique scored two goals (21 and 38).

As Atletico Mineiro and defending champions Palmeiras battled it out in the second semi-final (0-0 in the first leg), the chances of the two Brazilian teams qualifying for the final increased for the second year in a row. Santos in the 2020 edition.

Barcelona got off to a good start after Uruguay’s Gonzalo Mastroyani and Byron Castillo goalkeeper Diego Alves were forced to make two early saves.

But Flamenco then dominated and opened the scoring after a long cross from Gabriel, which went into the net for Henry (21). Henrique scored almost second, meeting Gabriel’s cross on his head, but his ball bounced off the crossbar (34).

Andreas Pereira, who also borrowed from Manchester United, also hit the crossbar with a long-range shot (37). From the counter-attack started by Gabriel with the help of Wettingho who sent the peeled ball to Henry, Flamenco scored the second goal (38). Things got even worse for Barcelona when Nixon Molina was sent off before the break for a second booking.

Despite the numerical superiority, Flamenco did not succeed in consolidating its progress, while before the last two attempts for Flamenco via Wettingho was close to narrowing Barcelona’s lead through Michael Carcel, who was beaten by Alves.

In the final minutes, referee Flamenco sent defender Leo Pereira to punch Fernando Leone in the cheek. The return match will take place on Wednesday in Guayaquil.

For the first time since the establishment of this important continental tournament for South American clubs in 1960, three clubs from one country have qualified for the semi-finals. In 1966, Argentina’s River Plate, Boca Juniors and the Independent advanced to the finals, but at the time the tournament was conducted according to team rules, not by knockout.

The final will take place on November 27 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.