Latam Sports: Pedro Sends Flamengo On - Rio Times

2026-05-21 07:00:44

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Three days after Carlo Ancelotti left him out of Brazil's World Cup squad, Pedro gave the most pointed reply available to a striker. The Flamengo forward scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Estudiantes at the Maracanã on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, sending the defending champions into the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 with a game to spare. Flamengo moved to 10 points in Group A and will reach 13 if CONMEBOL awards the still-pending walkover from the cancelled May 7 fixture. In the NBA, the Thunder levelled the Western Conference Finals at 1-1 with a 122-113 Game 2 win, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answering a quiet opener with 30 points and Alex Caruso adding 31 off the bench, despite Victor Wembanyama's 21 points and 17 rebounds. In Group B, Coquimbo Unido beat Deportes Tolima 3-0 to seize control of qualification. As always, The Rio Times delivers comprehensive Latin America coverage.

Today's Headlines May 20, 2026

EVENT	RESULT	KEY MOMENT
Libertadores A: Flamengo vs Estudiantes	1-0	Pedro 65′; Flamengo into last 16
Libertadores B: Coquimbo vs Tolima	3-0	Jannesen seals; Tolima slip in group
NBA WCF G2: Thunder vs Spurs	122-113	SGA 30, Caruso 31; series tied 1-1
CONMEBOL A: walkover	Pending	Flamengo to 13 pts if 3-0 confirmed
Apertura final preview	May 24	River vs Belgrano at Mario A. Kempes
NBA ECF G2 tonight	MSG, 8 ET	Cavs seek response after blown 22-pt lead

The Reply: Pedro Scores Three Days After the World Cup Snub, Flamengo Go Through

Libertadores

Pedro was on Carlo Ancelotti's 55-man preliminary list. He was not on the final 26 named at the Museu do Amanhã on Monday. On Wednesday night at the Maracanã, on a rainy evening in Rio, the Flamengo striker provided the kind of answer footballers prefer to give with their feet. His goal at minute 65, after Estudiantes goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a clearance inside his own area, was the only goal in a 1-0 win that sent Flamengo into the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 with a match to spare. The defending champions reached 10 points in Group A, and remain unbeaten in the competition.

How it happened

1st half

34′

35′

65′

Late

Key moment

The goal carried a subtext beyond the scoreline. According to coverage by Futebol Interior, Pedro, left out of the final World Cup squad despite being the Brazilian club game's most consistent finisher this season,“respondeu da melhor maneira possível dentro de campo” (“answered in the best way possible on the pitch”). The 28-year-old has 15 goals across all competitions for Flamengo in 2026 and is the club's top scorer. His omission was one of the quieter surprises of Ancelotti's selection, overshadowed by Rodrygo and Estêvão, but it stung in Rio. Coach Leonardo Jardim, whose side had laboured through a goalless and tense first hour, called the win“sofrido mas merecido” (“hard-fought but deserved”), according to the same outlet.

What's next

Flamengo close the group stage at home to Cusco on Tuesday May 26 at the Maracanã, a fixture now without competitive stakes for the leaders. The more pressing date is Saturday May 23, when Flamengo visit Palmeiras at the Allianz Parque in the de facto Brasileirão title decider, the last round before the World Cup pause. Estudiantes, on six points, are second in Group A but face the pending CONMEBOL walkover that would lift Flamengo to 13 points and reshape the group's qualification math entirely.

KEY STAT: Flamengo 1-0 Estudiantes (Pedro 65′). Flamengo reach 10 points in Group A and qualify for the Round of 16 with a match to spare; unbeaten in the competition. Pedro, left off Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad on Monday, has 15 goals in all competitions for Flamengo in 2026. Pending walkover from the May 7 cancellation would lift Flamengo to 13 points. Next: at Palmeiras (Brasileirão) Saturday May 23.

SGA Bounces Back, Caruso Erupts, and the Thunder Square the West Finals

NBA

After a Game 1 in which he never looked comfortable, two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answered with 30 points and nine assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 to even the Western Conference Finals at 1-1. According to ESPN, the defending champions led for roughly 80% of the game and forced 21 Spurs turnovers, converting them into 27 points. The Thunder have now won nine straight games following a playoff loss, the longest such streak since the Miami Heat between 2012 and 2014.

How it happened

Q2-Q3

Q4, 1:25

Key moment

The swing was the Thunder bench. According to NBA, Oklahoma City's reserves outscored San Antonio's 57-25, with Alex Caruso scoring 31 points on eight three-pointers and Jared McCain and Cason Wallace adding 12 each. Jalen Williams, returning from injury, scored 26. For the Spurs, Stephon Castle led with 25 points and eight assists but committed nine turnovers; his 20 turnovers over the two games are the most by any player in a two-game playoff span since turnovers were first tracked in 1977. Victor Wembanyama posted 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, but the supporting cast that powered Game 1 went quiet.“We brought the energy from the jump,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, per NBA.

What's next

Game 3 is in San Antonio at the Frost Bank Center on Friday May 22. The series is now a best-of-five with home advantage neutralised. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks lead the Cavaliers 1-0 after Tuesday's 22-point comeback; Game 2 is Thursday May 21 at Madison Square Garden, with Cleveland seeking a response after surrendering a lead that had looked decisive.

KEY STAT: Thunder 122-113 Spurs (Game 2); series tied 1-1. SGA 30/9 ast on 50% shooting; Caruso 31 off the bench (8 threes); Jalen Williams 26 on return. Wembanyama 21/17/6 ast/4 blk. Castle 25/8 ast but 9 turnovers (20 over two games, most in a two-game playoff span since 1977). OKC bench 57, Spurs bench 25. Game 3 in San Antonio, Friday May 22.

Flamengo Estudiantes Pedro Libertadores Maracanã Muslera Bruno Henrique Carrascal Ostojich VAR Thunder Spurs Gilgeous-Alexander Caruso Wembanyama Castle Coquimbo Tolima Jannesen Apertura final River Belgrano CONMEBOL walkover Knicks Cavaliers Brunson Mitchell

Football

Who's Through, Who's Sweating: The Libertadores Picture Before the Final Round

Analysis

With one round of group fixtures remaining, the Copa Libertadores has begun to sort its qualifiers, and the pattern is a familiar one: the Brazilian clubs are converting their financial and squad advantages into knockout places, while the rest of the continent fights over the remaining slots. Flamengo's win over Estudiantes on Wednesday made them the second confirmed Round of 16 club, joining Independiente Rivadavia, who clinched Group C back on May 6. Mirassol and Corinthians are close behind in their groups.

Group B offered the night's other decisive result. Coquimbo Unido, the Chilean side enjoying the most surprising continental campaign of the year, beat Deportes Tolima 3-0, with Nicolás Jannesen completing the scoring at minute 62. The result lifts Coquimbo toward the top of the group and damages Tolima's qualification hopes badly. The Colombian side, who had ended their country's long CONMEBOL winless run earlier in the campaign, now need favourable results on the final matchday to survive. According to coverage by Infobae, Lucas González's Tolima were overwhelmed in the second half and“dejó escapar la clasificación” (“let qualification slip away”).

The Brazilian dominance is structural. Of the eight Brazilian clubs in this year's group stage, the majority are positioned to advance: Flamengo and (pending the final round) Mirassol, Corinthians, Cruzeiro and Fluminense all retain realistic or secured paths. Fluminense's situation is the most precarious of the Brazilian contingent: their 2-1 win over Bolívar on Tuesday left them level on points but behind on the head-to-head, needing a final-day win over Deportivo La Guaira plus a Bolívar slip. The financial gap between Brazilian clubs and the rest of CONMEBOL, widened by domestic television revenue and the depth it buys, increasingly shows up at exactly this stage of the competition.

The Argentine picture is more fragile. Boca Juniors, held by Cruzeiro on Tuesday, must beat Universidad Católica on May 28 to qualify from Group D. Estudiantes, beaten at the Maracanã, are now reliant on results elsewhere. The contrast with the Brazilian clubs' relative comfort is the story of the 2026 group stage, and a question Argentine football will continue to ask through the knockout rounds.

KEY STAT: Confirmed Round of 16: Independiente Rivadavia (Group C, May 6), Flamengo (Group A, May 20). Coquimbo Unido 3-0 Tolima reshapes Group B. Final group matchday: May 26-29. Brazilian clubs positioned to advance: Flamengo (in), plus Mirassol, Corinthians, Cruzeiro and (precariously) Fluminense. Boca must beat Universidad Católica on May 28 to qualify from Group D.

Three Days to River vs Belgrano: River Manage the Sudamericana Detour

Apertura

The Torneo Apertura final is on Sunday May 24 at 15:30 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba: River Plate against Belgrano de Córdoba. River reached the final by beating Rosario Central 1-0 at the Monumental on May 16; Belgrano came through a penalty shootout against Argentinos Juniors on May 17. The historical edge endures: Belgrano were the club that beat River in the 2011 promoción and sent the Buenos Aires giant down to the Nacional B for the only time in their history.

Eduardo Coudet's preparation involved a midweek Copa Sudamericana fixture against RB Bragantino at the Monumental, a balancing act between continental progression and resting players for Sunday. According to coverage by Olé, the River coach was expected to rotate heavily, mindful that the final, not the Sudamericana group game, is the season's defining fixture. Belgrano, with no continental commitment this week, arrive in Córdoba the fresher of the two sides, a continuation of the squad-freshness dynamic that shaped the entire Apertura playoff bracket and helped the unfancied clubs eliminate the favourites.

The winner qualifies for the 2027 Copa Libertadores group stage and earns a place in the 2026 Trofeo de Campeones against the Clausura winner. The 39-game head-to-head record favours Belgrano with 13 wins to River's 10, and 16 draws. According to coverage by La Nación, Belgrano's geographic proximity to the neutral Córdoba venue is expected to give the Pirata a numerical edge in the stands, adding a partisan home-crowd dimension to a nominally neutral final.

KEY STAT: Apertura final: River vs Belgrano, Sunday May 24, 15:30, Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba. River beat Rosario Central 1-0; Belgrano beat Argentinos on penalties. Historical hook: Belgrano sent River down in the 2011 promoción. Winner gets 2027 Copa Libertadores berth and Trofeo de Campeones spot. H2H: Belgrano 13, River 10, 16 draws in 39 meetings.

Now It Matters Less, But It Still Matters: The Pending Flamengo Walkover

Analysis

Flamengo's win over Estudiantes did something the pending CONMEBOL ruling could no longer do on its own: it secured qualification on the pitch. Before Wednesday, the three points from the cancelled May 7 fixture against Independiente Medellín carried real qualification weight. Now they affect only seeding. Flamengo are through regardless. The walkover, if awarded under Article 24.2 of the CONMEBOL Disciplinary Code, would lift them from 10 points to 13 and likely guarantee top spot in Group A, which matters for the Round of 16 draw, but no longer for survival.

The shift in stakes does not resolve the underlying delay. Two weeks after the cancellation, the Disciplinary Tribunal has issued the 60-day fan ban against DIM but not the points award. Independiente Medellín played their Group A fixture at Cusco on Wednesday behind closed doors, the first concrete application of that sanction. According to the timeline reported by Coluna do Fla, the points ruling is still expected before the final group matchday on May 26, when Flamengo host Cusco and Estudiantes face DIM. If the walkover lands, the group's second-place fight between Estudiantes and DIM becomes the live question, with a Copa Sudamericana knockout place for whichever finishes third.

The broader issue persists. The fan disturbances that forced the May 7 cancellation were the latest in a series at Colombian stadiums in 2026, and CONMEBOL's measured, bundled approach to the ruling reflects an attempt to address a structural problem rather than a single match. For Flamengo, the practical consequence is now narrow: a seeding question rather than a qualification one. For Colombian football, the questions raised by the Atanasio Girardot remain open.

KEY STAT: Flamengo qualified for the Round of 16 on the pitch, reducing the pending walkover to a seeding question. Article 24.2 walkover would lift Flamengo from 10 to 13 points and likely secure top spot in Group A. DIM played at Cusco behind closed doors Wednesday (first fixture of the 60-day fan ban). Points ruling still expected before the final matchday, May 26.

NBA Conference Finals: Series Status After Wednesday

Standings

SERIES	G1	G2	STATUS	NEXT
Spurs vs Thunder (W)	SAS 122-115 (2OT)	OKC 122-113	1-1	G3 Fri May 22, San Antonio
Knicks vs Cavaliers (E)	NYK 115-104 (OT)	-	NYK 1-0	G2 Thu May 21, MSG

The team winning Game 1 of a Conference Finals has gone on to win the series 78.2% of the time in NBA history. The Western series is now a best-of-five with home advantage neutralised.

KEY STAT: West: Spurs and Thunder tied 1-1; Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander have traded big performances. Game 3 in San Antonio Friday May 22. East: Knicks lead Cavaliers 1-0 after a 22-point comeback; Game 2 Thursday May 21 at MSG. Knicks' win streak stands at eight; Cavaliers seeking to avoid a 2-0 hole after three straight seven-game series.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How did Flamengo qualify for the Libertadores Round of 16?

Flamengo beat Estudiantes de La Plata 1-0 at the Maracanã on Wednesday May 20 to qualify for the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 with a match to spare. Pedro scored the only goal at minute 65, finishing after Estudiantes goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a clearance inside his own area. The win lifted Flamengo to 10 points in Group A, where they remain unbeaten. Pedro had been left out of Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad by Carlo Ancelotti on Monday, making the goal a pointed personal response. Flamengo could reach 13 points if CONMEBOL awards the still-pending 3-0 walkover from the cancelled May 7 fixture against Independiente Medellín. Flamengo close the group at home to Cusco on May 26.

Who won Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals?

The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 on Wednesday May 20 to tie the Western Conference Finals at 1-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back from a quiet Game 1 with 30 points and nine assists on 50% shooting, and Alex Caruso scored 31 points off the bench on eight three-pointers. Jalen Williams added 26 in his return from injury. Victor Wembanyama had 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks for San Antonio, but Stephon Castle committed nine turnovers, giving him 20 over the two games, the most by any player in a two-game playoff span since turnovers were first tracked in 1977. The Thunder forced 21 Spurs turnovers. Game 3 is in San Antonio on Friday May 22.

What happened between Coquimbo Unido and Deportes Tolima?

Coquimbo Unido beat Deportes Tolima 3-0 in their Group B fixture on Wednesday May 20, with Nicolás Jannesen completing the scoring at minute 62. The result strengthened the Chilean club's qualification position and badly damaged Tolima's hopes of reaching the Round of 16. According to Infobae, Lucas González's Tolima were overwhelmed in the second half and let qualification slip away, and now need favourable results on the final group matchday to survive. Coquimbo Unido have been one of the surprise packages of the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage; Tolima had earlier in the campaign ended Colombia's long CONMEBOL winless run.

Updated: 2026-05-21T08:30:00Z by Matt Camenzind, Latin America correspondent.

Related coverage: previous Latin America Sports Daily (May 20: Boca held by Cruzeiro) · Brasileirão Round 9 · Brazil Elections 2026 guide.

Latin America sports today, Latin America sports news, LATAM sports daily, Latin America sports May 20 2026, Copa Libertadores 2026 matchday five Group A Flamengo 1-0 Estudiantes de La Plata Maracanã Rio de Janeiro Pedro goal 65 minute Fernando Muslera goalkeeper error clearance Eric Meza Bruno Henrique Carrascal Luiz Araújo Jorginho Esteban Ostojich referee VAR penalty overturned outside area Leonardo Jardim coach Alexander Medina Estudiantes 10 points Round of 16 qualification unbeaten defending champions, Pedro left out Brazil World Cup 26 squad Ancelotti final list Museu do Amanhã preliminary 55-man list 15 goals all competitions 2026 Flamengo top scorer respondeu da melhor maneira possível dentro de campo statement goal snub response, Flamengo Cusco May 26 Maracanã final group stage Palmeiras Allianz Parque Brasileirão title decider Saturday May 23 World Cup pause, pending CONMEBOL walkover Article 24.2 Disciplinary Code 3-0 Independiente Medellín cancellation May 7 Atanasio Girardot 13 points top seeding Group A Estudiantes DIM second place Sudamericana playoff, NBA Western Conference Finals Game 2 Oklahoma City Thunder 122-113 San Antonio Spurs series tied 1-1 Paycom Center Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30 points 9 assists 50 percent bounce back two-time MVP Alex Caruso 31 points bench eight three-pointers Jared McCain 12 Cason Wallace 12 Jalen Williams 26 return injury 57 bench points Spurs 25, Victor Wembanyama 21 points 17 rebounds 6 assists 4 blocks Stephon Castle 25 points 8 assists 9 turnovers 20 two games most two-game playoff span since 1977 poster dunk Isaiah Hartenstein Devin Vassell 22, Thunder nine straight wins following playoff loss longest since Miami Heat 2012 2014 forced 21 turnovers 27 points 80 percent game lead 34 assists, Game 3 San Antonio Frost Bank Center Friday May 22 best-of-five home advantage neutralised, Coquimbo Unido 3-0 Deportes Tolima Group B Nicolás Jannesen 62 minute Lucas González coach dejó escapar la clasificación Colombian CONMEBOL winless run earlier campaign surprise package Chilean club, Confirmed Round of 16 Independiente Rivadavia Group C May 6 Flamengo Group A May 20 Mirassol Corinthians Cruzeiro Fluminense Brazilian clubs financial advantage squad depth television revenue, Fluminense 2-1 Bolívar Tuesday level points head-to-head behind needs win Deportivo La Guaira final round May 27 Bolívar slip Independiente Rivadavia, Boca Juniors held Cruzeiro Tuesday must beat Universidad Católica May 28 Group D qualify, Apertura Argentina final River Plate Belgrano de Córdoba Sunday May 24 15:30 Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes Córdoba River 1-0 Rosario Central Colidio penalty Belgrano 4-3 penalties Argentinos promoción 2011 Nacional B descenso Coudet Zielinski Sudamericana RB Bragantino Monumental Wednesday rotate Olé 2027 Copa Libertadores Trofeo de Campeones 39 head-to-head Belgrano 13 River 10 16 draws geographic proximity Córdoba crowd, NBA Eastern Conference Finals Knicks Cavaliers 1-0 22-point comeback overtime Madison Square Garden Brunson 38 Mitchell 29 six steals Game 2 Thursday May 21 MSG Cleveland response three straight seven-game series win streak eight, Conference Finals Game 1 winner 78.2 percent series, Brasileirão Round 17 Saturday May 24 Flamengo Palmeiras Allianz Parque title decider World Cup pause mid-July, Brazil World Cup 26 squad Neymar Rodrygo Estêvão Group C Morocco MetLife June 13 Haiti Scotland, Champions League final May 30 Puskás Aréna Budapest Arsenal PSG Willian Pacho Ecuador Luis Díaz Colombia, Hulk Fluminense July 20 registration window Maracanã unveiling number 7