Flamengo and Vasco are Flamengo and Vasco in any division. And this Wednesday's (March 24.03) derby, held at Gávea, in the Junior State Championship, was further proof of this. Rivalry, comebacks, red-and-blacks, big plays, and, in the end, a red-and-black victory. With grit, the team that fell behind, and even had a player sent off in the first half, turned the match around in the second half – goals by Dieguinho and Diego Maurício – to 2-1, sending the fans into delirium.

As if a victory over their biggest rival wasn't enough, the Gávea kids also celebrated their return to the top of the Taça Guanabara with 26 points. Vasco remains in second with 25. Botafogo, who lost to Olaria and is the red-and-black team's next opponent, has 23 points and is in third place. With the same number of points, Fluminense faces América this Thursday at Edson Passos Stadium.

Everything went wrong
In the first half, everything seemed to be going wrong for Flamengo. The post on the right side of the Gávea press box wasn't cooperating. First, it was Alex's shot, still early in the match, in the seventh minute. Before the end of the first half, Dieguinho hit a beautiful shot from outside the box, but it hit the crossbar. On the other side, however, the post was a little more friendly.

In the 17th minute, Arthur sent a cross-shot, and Willem pounced on the rebound to open the scoring. The goal didn't discourage the red-and-blacks, who continued to dominate possession and create the best chances. However, it seemed like the day wasn't Flamengo's. Luiz Antônio was sent off in the final minutes of the first half, further complicating matters.

Turnaround in the race
That's when Flamengo's Diegos sprang into action. Dieguinho's speed and Diego Maurício's physical strength complemented each other, and the Gávea team returned from the locker room determined to turn the game around. Down a man was a challenge. But Rômulo Oliveira decided to help. Vasco's number 8 committed a hard foul on Guilherme and received a red card.

Shortly after, in the 18th minute, Diego Maurício sprinted past two defenders and was brought down: a penalty conceded by Mateus, who was also sent off. Dieguinho equalized from the spot. And the celebration was the envy of any "Armeration" or Meninos da Vila, with several dance moves.

And, capitalizing on their numerical advantage, Flamengo continued to press, chasing a comeback. It came in the 25th minute, with Diego Maurício. The number 10 received a great pass from Guilherme, outmuscled the Vasco defender, and just tapped it past Cestaro: 2-1. Vasco also had another player sent off: Genílson. From then on, it was just a matter of managing and waiting for the final whistle.

Credits
Flamengo vs Vasco
11th round of the Guanabara Junior Cup
Stadium: Gávea
Order date: March 24th, 2010

Flamengo: Marcelo Carné, Alex, Christianno, Marlon and Jorbison; Luiz Antonio, Michael, Dieguinho and Guilherme; Vinicius Paquetá and Diego Maurício.
Basque: Cestaro, Max, Alan Miguel, Mateus and Miguel; Genilson, Arthur, Rômulo Oliveira and Maicon Assis, Lipe and Willen.

Goals: Willem (VAS) at 17 in the first half, Dieguinho (FLA) at 18 and Diego Maurício (FLA) at 25 in the second half.
Red Cards: Luiz Antonio (FLA), Mateus, Romulo and Genílson (VAS).