RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Flamengo advanced to the Copa Libertadores semifinals on Thursday despite being held to a 1-1 home draw by Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle.
The reigning champion took a 2-0 lead into the second leg at the Maracana before a first-half strike from Del Valle's Djorkaeff Reasco narrowed the gap.
The hosts suffered a further blow just after the hour when former Italy international midfielder Jorginho was sent off for a high challenge that earned him a second booking.
But Flamengo defended resolutely and Giorgian de Arrascaeta made it 3-1 on aggregate with a close-range header after Agustin Rossi's long pass out of defense caught goalkeeper Aldair Quintana off guard.
Flamengo will meet Argentina's Estudiantes over two legs in the next round in October. The other semifinal will be an all-Brazilian clash between Palmeiras and Fluminense. ■
