Pedro shines as Flamengo reach Copa Libertadores final
Baku, September 8, AZERTAC
Striker Pedro scored one goal and set up another as Brazil's Flamengo advanced to the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday with a 2-1 home victory over Argentine side Velez Sarsfield, according to Xinhua.
The visitors took the lead on the night when Lucas Pratto struck in the 21st minute after combining with Lucas Janson.
The hosts equalized when Pedro met an Everton Ribeiro cross by leaping high and twisting his neck to direct a superb header into the top right corner.
Pedro has now scored 12 goals in 12 appearances during the current Copa Libertadores campaign.
The 25-year-old former Fiorentina forward then turned provider by laying off the pass for Marinho to fire in his team's second goal from the edge of the 18-yard box.
The result at the Maracana stadium earned Flamengo a 6-1 win on aggregate after the Rio de Janeiro giants won the first leg of their semifinal in Buenos Aires 4-0.
Dorival Junior's men will play off for South America's most coveted club trophy against Brazilian rivals Athletico Paranaense in Guayaquil of Ecuador on October 29.
It will be Flamengo's third appearance in the Copa Libertadores final in four years.
Paranaense advanced by beating defending champions Palmeiras 3-1 on aggregate in the other semifinal.
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