Pedro scores a hat-trick to put Flamengo ahead of Copa Libertadores final

Two-time Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo got a foothold in continental play after a dominant 4-0 victory over Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield in Wednesday's semi-final first leg.

Pedro scored a hat-trick for the Brazilian club, taking their 2022 Copa tally to 11, to silence the Buenos Aires crowd who were stunned by the scoreline.

Flamengo scored twice before the break, with Pedro opening the scoring in the 32nd minute, before running away with the game with two more goals in the final half hour.

The victory maintains Flamengo's invincibility in this year's tournament, winning 10 of their 11 games, having conceded only once in five games in the Round of 16.

The second leg will be played in Rio de Janeiro next Wednesday, with the winner of the tie facing either Palmeiras or Athletico Paranaense in the final on October 29 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Former Brazil international Pedro opened the scoring by brushing past Leo Pereira's cross in the 32nd minute, before a fine team move was capped off by Everton Ribeiro on an on-the-spot pass from Gabriel Barbosa halftime.

Pedro was set up by Gabriel Barbosa for his second goal in the 61st minute, finishing with an elegant touch on Velez's rushing goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.

Gabriel Barbosa pushed a good 76th-minute chance into the side netting, but 2019 Copa winner Flamengo quickly had a fourth in the 83rd minute when Pedro completed a move he started it all but put equality to bed.