BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, March 4 -- Everton Ribeiro scored either side of halftime as reigning champions Flamengo beat Junior Barranquilla 2-1 in their opening Copa Libertadores group match here on Wednesday.

The Brazilian side needed just six minutes to take the lead at Estadio Metropolitano when Ribeiro latched onto a Giorgian Arrascaeta cross and rifled a shot into the bottom left corner.

Ribeiro was again on the scoresheet in the 79th minute, deftly chipping the ball over goalkeeper Sebastian Viera after substitute Michael's dashing run and cross.

Teofilo Gutierrez pulled a goal back for the hosts in stoppage time by firing in from close range after Dany Rosero met a floating Sherman Cardenas free-kick with a flicked header.

"The first match of the Copa Libertadores is always difficult but we were able to score at the right time," Ribeiro said after the match, adding that Flamengo weren't at their best against the Colombian team.

"It's normal. We know that we're going to have highs and lows throughout the season. The most important thing was to leave here with a victory."

Flamengo's next match will be at home to Ecuador's Barcelona de Guayaquil next Wednesday. Junior will travel to Ecuador for a clash against Independiente del Valle on the same day.?

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