It was a night of few opportunities as Peñarol pipped Flamengo to a Copa Libertadores semi-spot after a goalless draw on Thursday.
Sitting only 1-0 on aggregate, this game and a spot in the semi-finals were entirely up for grabs between the Uruguayan club and the Brazilian giants.
Flamengo needed to arrive with guts and tenacity. Yet, they were far from that during the 90 minutes of limited action inside a black and yellow-drenched cathedral, the Estadio Campeón del Siglo.
A unified Peñarol, meanwhile, stifled every attacking threat as they packed seven or eight bodies in the box. Attackers Bruno Henrique, Gerson and Giorgian de Arrascaeta were subsequently well frustrated, with only one shot on target for the visitors.
Expert game management and last-ditch defending prevented Flamengo’s dominance of the ball (74% possession) from having any impact. Over the entire match, Peñarol made just 196 passes but somehow survived.
The goalless draw sees Flamengo crash out in the quarters, while Peñarol will face Botafogo in the semi-finals. In the other semi-final, Atlético Mineiro will face River Plate.
