Bolivar Defeats Flamengo 2-1 in Copa Libertadores Match

LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivar, a Bolivian soccer team, defeated the Brazilian team Flamengo 2-1 in a Copa Libertadores group stage match played at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The victory solidifies Bolivar's position as the dominant team in Group E and puts them one step away from reaching the round of 16 of the tournament.

The match was intense from the start, with both teams pressing hard. Francisco Da Costa opened the scoring for Bolivar in just the 2nd minute. Flamengo's Matias Vina equalized in the 5th minute, but Bruno Savio scored what would prove to be the winning goal for Bolivar in the 62nd minute, assisted by Fernando Saucedo.

Despite missing several key players, including Varela, Ayrton Lucas, Erick Pulgar, Arrascaeta, and Pedro, Flamengo had similar scoring opportunities to Bolivar. However, the Bolivian side was able to assert their dominance, maintaining possession for much of the match. Flamengo's coach, Tite, took responsibility for the decision to rest players, citing the high altitude in La Paz and a tight schedule of upcoming matches as factors.

Why this matters: Bolivar's victory over Flamengo, one of Brazil's top teams, is a significant upset and could shake up the standings in the Copa Libertadores tournament. The win also highlights the challenges that visiting teams face when playing in the high altitude of La Paz, which sits at an elevation of roughly 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level.

With the win, Bolivar now sits atop Group E with 6 points, while Flamengo is in second place with 4 points. Bolivar extended their unbeaten home streak to 15 matches with the victory. "The excessive changes were caused by a sequence of big games and the exhausting effects of the high altitude," Tite explained after the match, also noting the long trip back to Brazil and another game scheduled for Sunday.

Key Takeaways

• Bolivian team Bolivar defeated Brazilian team Flamengo 2-1 in Copa Libertadores match.
• Bolivar's victory solidifies their position as the dominant team in Group E.
• Flamengo rested several key players due to high altitude and tight schedule.
• Bolivar's win is a significant upset, highlighting the challenges of playing in La Paz.
• Bolivar now leads Group E with 6 points, while Flamengo is in second with 4 points.