After losing 4-1, Flamengo manages to equalize the game with Macaé: 7-7
Rafael Oliveira and Mariana Land
Sports Journal
Flamengo's Gabriel scored three goals, while Macaé's winger Eric also contributed significantly to the draw.
The Hélio Maurício gymnasium in Gávea hosted a celebration yesterday featuring basketball and futsal. Flamengo won the hoops, but the draw in the gymnasium was just as exciting as the previous victory. An electrifying 7-7 victory over Macaé kept the home team in second place in Group B.
The first half began with a motivated Flamengo. And it was precisely through sheer grit that the red-and-blacks opened the scoring with a goal from Gabriel. But the Flamengo fans' joy was short-lived. In the eighth minute, Alexandre unleashed a rocket to equalize. The draw left the red-and-blacks disconcerted. Especially goalkeeper Breno, who in the tenth minute fumbled the ball and scored an own goal that gave the visitors the lead.
The unexpected goal woke up the Gávea team. The team launched into attack and, on at least two occasions, almost equalized. But as the saying goes, after so many missed chances, Flamengo ended up conceding more goals.
At 14, former Flamengo player Leco extended his lead for his current club with a cross from the right. The goal was aided by Breno, who again missed. Desperate, Flamengo began to resort to excessive fouls to avoid conceding any more goals. However, the plan backfired. The team exceeded the five-foul limit per half, allowing Macaé a seven-meter shot. Édson converted with skill, and the visitors went into halftime leading 4-1.
Everything indicated that the red-and-black fans, who had already celebrated the basketball team's victory, would leave the court without celebrating the futsal match. But there were still 20 minutes left to play, and, aware of this, the home team's players held their hearts in their hands and chased the result.
The seemingly impossible draw finally happened. With a goal from Michel and two from Gabriel, Flamengo tied the match. With three more goals from each side, the fans witnessed a match that, despite the lack of a winner, was one of the most exciting of the championship.