23 November 1981 - Flamengo Strikes Against Cobreloa

On 23 November 1981, Flamengo survived a battle of attrition with Cobreloa to win the Copa Libertadores in a replay that had two goals and five red cards.

The two teams split the first two legs of the final, with each holding serve at home. The second match, won by Cobreloa 1-0 in Santiago, was a heated affair that drew blood from one Flamengo player and saw another get stepped on while lying on the ground.

That set the tone for the replay, contested at the neutral location of Montevideo's Estadio Centenario. There, Flamengo playmaker Zico--who had scored both goals in their 2-1 victory in the first leg--again rose to the occasion with another brace. He scored his first goal from close range in the 18th minute, then doubled the lead with a 20-yard free kick in the 84th minute. In between, three players were ejected, one from Flamengo and two from Cobreloa.

With the title firmly in hand after Zico's second goal, Flamengo manager Paulo César Carpegiani sent in towering striker José Anselmo as an 86th minute substitute. Three minutes later, Anselmo received a red card of his own after punching Cobreloa defender Mario Soto in the face in what appeared to be a retaliation for Soto's violent play in the second leg. The referee ejected Soto in the 90th minute, making a total of five expulsions on the day.

The win qualified Flamengo for the 1981 Intercontinental Cup against European Cup champions Liverpool, with the Brazilians emerging as 0-3 victors.

30 November 1982 - But That's The One He Remembers Best

On 30 November 1982, Peñarol won their fourth Copa Libertadores, beating Cobreloa with a last-minute goal from Fernando Morena.

The Uruguayan champions had been to the final six times previously, winning it in 1960, 1961, and 1966 (and losing it in 1962, 1965, and 1970). Meanwhile, Cobreloa, winners of the 1982 Chilean Primera División, reached the final for the first time the previous year and lost to Flamengo in a replay.

After playing to a scoreless draw in the first leg at the Centenario in Montevideo on 26 November, the teams met at Santiago's Estadio Nacional for the second leg. There, it looked like they were headed for another scoreless draw and eventual replay when Morena (pictured on the left) scored in the 89th minute. Charging into the box between two Cobreloa defenders, he controlled a cross on the run with his left foot, then bundled the ball into the net.

Although it was the club's fourth Copa Libertadores trophy, it was the first for Morena, who had played for Peñarol from 1973 to 1979, then returned in 1981. A seven-time Uruguayan league top scorer, he led the tournament in goals in their unsuccessful 1974 and 1975 campaigns, and was again the top scorer in 1982.

23 November 1981 - Flamengo Strikes Against Cobreloa

On 23 November 1981, Flamengo survived a battle of attrition with Cobreloa to win the Copa Libertadores in a replay that had two goals and five red cards.

The two teams split the first two legs of the final, with each holding serve at home. The second match, won by Cobreloa 1-0 in Santiago, was a heated affair that drew blood from one Flamengo player and saw another get stepped on while lying on the ground.

That set the tone for the replay, contested at the neutral location of Montevideo's Estadio Centenario. There, Flamengo playmaker Zico--who had scored both goals in their 2-1 victory in the first leg--again rose to the occasion with another brace. He scored his first goal from close range in the 18th minute, then doubled the lead with a 20-yard free kick in the 84th minute. In between, three players were ejected, one from Flamengo and two from Cobreloa.

With the title firmly in hand after Zico's second goal, Flamengo manager Paulo César Carpegiani sent in towering striker José Anselmo as an 86th minute substitute. Three minutes later, Anselmo received a red card of his own after punching Cobreloa defender Mario Soto in the face in what appeared to be a retaliation for Soto's violent play in the second leg. The referee ejected Soto in the 90th minute, making a total of five expulsions on the day.

The win qualified Flamengo for the 1981 Intercontinental Cup against European Cup champions Liverpool, with the Brazilians emerging as 0-3 victors.