Figueroa double leaves Flamengo on the brink of elimination

The ex-Boca and Villarreal striker was on target twice in a last-gasp 3-2 victory, as the Brazilians threw away a strong lead and now face a humiliating group stage exit.Universidad de Chile waltzed into the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores with a game to spare, as they overcame Godoy Cruz in Mendoza to leave the Argentine side hanging by a thread in the competition.Thousands of Azul fans made the short trip over the Andes from Santiago in the hope that Jorge Sampaoli's side would book their place in the last-16, and they would not be disappointed. In a game that was rather tighter than the free-scoring form of both teams suggested before kick off, Universidad hit the decisive goal on the stroke of half time.A sweeping through ball caught the Godoy defence flat, and Eugenio Mena had the chance to hit home. The midfielder's effort was well stopped by Sebastian Torrico, but the Tomba keeper could do nothing to keep out Angelo Henriquez from firing the rebound into the back of the net.The win puts the U top of Group 8 with 10 points from five games, while Godoy Cruz trail second-placed Atletico Nacional by three having played one match more. The Colombians will eliminate Nery Pumpido's team and go through with a single point from their last two fixtures, while the Mendoza side need their rivals to lose both games to have even a chance of progressing. Flamengo need a near-miracle to make the next round of the Copa Libertadores, after once throwing away a winning position to slump to defeat away to Emelec.Needing a victory to overtake Olimpia in the second qualification spot from Group 2, the Brazilians could not have asked for a better start to their match in Guayaquil. With just eight minutes played, a swift counter-attack caught Emelec by surprise and Leo Moura's shot ended in the back of the net; with no little help from a generous deflection from the defence which steered the ball past Esteban Dreer.But Flamengo's joy was to be short-lived. A dangerous corner on the half hour from the home side was met by former Boca and Villarreal striker, and ex-Argentina international, Luciano Figueroa, who rose highest to head the ball past a powerless Felipe and level proceedings.It looked as though the visitors would retake the lead just before the interval, but Deivid nodded past the post after being picked out by Ronaldinho's pinpoint cross. Deivid made amends minutes later, however, this time steering his header past Dreer to make it 2-1.Just when it appeared that a vital win was on the cards, Emelec popped up to deflate Flamengo's hopes. Figueroa was again the thorn in the Cariocas' side as he netted six minutes from the end, before in an incredible turn of events Fernando Gaibor slotted home a penalty to seal victory. The Ecuadorians therefore send Flamengo to the bottom of Group 2, and Ronaldinho's team need to beat Lanus in their last game and hope for a draw in the other fixture to have any chance of progressing.