Nathan de Lima\ Sports Journal\
26 years ago, Flamengo won the most important title in its history and JORNAL DOS SPORTS followed, step by step, the red-and-black idols, who crossed the world to beat Liverpool 3-0, at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, and who became world champions.
The team led by Zico arrived in the Japanese capital discredited and suffering greatly from the time difference, but as published in the December 12, 1981 edition of “Cor-de-rosa”, Fla wanted to beat the English to, in addition to achieving the historic feat that until then only Pelé's Santos had achieved, dedicate the title to coach Cláudio Coutinho, who had died days before.
"We're more skilled, we have a lot of attacking power, and we'll have to play the ball, putting the English team in a rut." Zico's words the day before the match summed up with prophetic accuracy what unfolded during the 90 minutes of the game.
Flamengo capitalized on the superiority of Brazilian football against the robotic style that had always been the English trademark to finish the match in the first half. The team from the land of the Beatles, whose main player was the Scottish player Daglish, was unable to move and was completely dominated by the magic of the Rio stars.
In the 14th minute of the first half, Zico delivered a perfect pass to Nunes, who skillfully slotted it under goalkeeper Grobelaar to open the scoring for Flamengo. After the goal, Liverpool tried to press home, but Tita once again demonstrated why the Brazilians have always had the upper hand against the English. He dribbled through the middle, and the desperate Liverpool defense (and unaccustomed to such skill) fouled him. Zico took the shot, the goalkeeper missed, and Adílio doubled the lead. Minutes later, Zico delivered another brilliant pass to
Nunes, who came in free, shot across goal, and the goalkeeper accepted.
With victory secured in the first half, Flamengo only let time run out in the second half to clinch the title. Immediately after the final whistle, the Flamengo crowd ignored the falling rain and celebrated a veritable carnival in Rio. (Contributed by Pedro Sá, JS On-line)