Flamengo advances to Libertadores final after 0-0 draw with Racing

Flamengo advanced to the Copa Libertadores final after holding Racing Club to a scoreless draw on Wednesday in the second leg of the semifinals at Estadio Presidente Perón in Avellaneda. The Brazilian side carried a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Rio de Janeiro and preserved that lead on aggregate to secure passage to the Nov. 29 final in Lima, Peru.

Flamengo’s defense stood firm despite a significant setback when Gonzalo Plata was sent off in the 56th minute, forcing the visitors to play most of the second half with 10 men. Racing pressed for an equalizer in front of a partisan home crowd but could not convert sustained pressure into a goal, leaving the tie at 1-0 on aggregate.

The outcome sends Flamengo to a Libertadores final for the third time in five years. The club has won the tournament in 1981, 2019 and 2022 and will attempt to claim a fourth title in Lima. A Flamengo victory in the final would also continue recent Brazilian dominance in the competition, extending the country’s strong run of results in recent editions.

Racing entered the return leg needing at least one goal to force extra time or a win to overturn the deficit. The home side, making its first...