BuzzFla - Premieres in the Copa do Brasil

BuzzFla - Premieres in the Brazilian Cup

Relive some of Flamengo's debuts in the second biggest national competition

By Lucas Dantas - in 02/05/2018 às 13:48

Flamengo makes its 2018 Copa do Brasil debut this Wednesday against Ponte Preta at Moisés Lucarelli Stadium. This season, the match will be a round of XNUMX match, as Flamengo is in the Copa Libertadores and will enter directly into that stage.

They've already participated in the competition 21 times, with 100 wins (a record) and 313 goals scored (another record). Three titles, seven finals, and 12 semifinal appearances. But since today is the opening day, let's recap some of Mengão's opening games in the Copa do Brasil.

1. The first game and the first goal.

Speaking of debuts, none is more memorable than the Rubro-Negro's first match in the competition, which also marked its history by scoring its first goal. It was at Gávea, on July 19, 1989, that Zico, in the only tournament he played in, provided a precise pass for Alcindo to score against Paysandu and pave the way for a 2-0 victory.

After Paysandu, Flamengo eliminated Blumenau and Corinthians, before losing to Grêmio in the semifinals. The aftertaste lingered and was crucial for the Mais Querido to lift its first Copa do Brasil trophy the following year.

2. The Cup during the Cup

In June 1990, Flamengo made its competition debut against Capelense, thrashing the small Alagoas team 5-1 in Moça Bonita. The late Gaúcho scored three goals. So far, nothing new. The curious thing about that match is that at the same time Flamengo and Capelense were playing, England was beating Egypt 1-0 in the World Cup in Italy. Yes, that's right. Due to the bizarre circumstances common in Brazilian football at the time, the games were played at the same time. Mengão had nothing to do with it and played their part. Check out Gaúcho's stunning goal in the match below.

It was the run-up to the title they won that year. After Capelense, Flamengo eliminated Taguatinga, Bahia, and Náutico before reaching the final against Goiás. They won the first leg 1-0 and drew the second leg 0-0 to claim the trophy.

3. The Best in the World premiered

We never forget our first time. And with Romário, it was no different. In his first match in the Copa do Brasil, for Flamengo, in the team's debut in the 1995 edition, the little one didn't forgive.

In the 30th minute of the first half, the then-World Player of the Year received a sweet pass from William, cut inside from the right, and shot from the edge of the box, leaving goalkeeper Felinho with no chance. It was the only goal of the match, but it gave Rio the lead. At home, in Gávea, Mengão won by the same score and advanced. Relive Romário's goal below.

4. Zé Carlos Immortal

Copa do Brasil debuts usually feature smaller teams from various parts of the country. This doesn't mean they're easy matches—quite the opposite, but there are some routs. In 1997, Flamengo delivered the biggest one.

Playing against Nacional at the Vivaldão stadium in Manaus, Junior's team put six past the home team. The home team, comma, because the overwhelming majority of the fans were red-and-black. Romario (2), Lúcio, Bruno Quadros, Marco Aurélio Jacozinho, and Zé Carlos scored the goals in the 6-2 victory, which eliminated the return leg.

Have you read Zé Carlos? Yes, Zé Carlos, the goalkeeper. The 2009 Brazilian champion and 1987 Copa do Brasil champion, who passed away in 1990, scored Mengão's sixth goal in the match, from the penalty spot. Relive the memories below and relive the star's memory.

5. Debuts in the cup years

In 1990, as already mentioned, Flamengo debuted against Capelense, from Alagoas. And in the other years of title-winning teams? Alagoas was back. In 2006, the year of their second title, Flamengo opened their campaign against Asa in Arapiraca, drawing 1-1. The goal was scored by "There's only one Ronaldo" Angelim, tying the match in the 25st minute of the second half.

In 2013, the team's third consecutive title began with a 1-0 victory against Remo in Pará, courtesy of a stunning goal from Rafinha. The result didn't preclude a return match, which took place two weeks later at the Raulino de Oliveira stadium in Volta Redonda, and the Mais Querido advanced 3-0. Relive the number 11's stunning goal at the Mangueirão stadium in Belém below.

6. Premieres in numbers

In total, there were 21 debuts, with 11 wins, eight draws, and only two losses. In 2018, another chapter of this story will be written, starting this Wednesday against Ponte Preta in Campinas. The return leg, in Rio, will be on May 10th. It's worth noting that this edition will no longer feature a qualifying goal in any stage. See below for a list of all the matches (Flamengo always on the left, regardless of home team).

19/07/1989 - Flamengo 2 X 0 Paysandu(PA)

21/06/1990 - Flamengo 5 X 1 Capelense (AL)

05/03/1993 - Flamengo 2 X 2 America(RN)

07/03/1995 - Flamengo 1 X 0 Souza(PB)

14/02/1996 - Flamengo 1 X 0 Linhares(ES)

27/02/1997 - Flamengo 6 X 2 Nacional(AM)

20/01/1998 - Flamengo 0 X 0 Operário(MS)

28/02/1999 - Flamengo 3 X 3 Botafogo(PB)

16/03/2000 - Flamengo 1 X 1 River (PI)

14/03/2001 - Flamengo 2 X 0 River (PI)

05/02/2003 - Flamengo 4 X 1 Botafogo(PB)

04/02/2004 - Flamengo 4 X 4 CRB(AL)