Celebrate, Flamengo Nation! Mengão is the two-time Carioca champion! On Wednesday night (15), at Maracanã, Flamengo beat Fluminense 1-0 and won its 36th State title. The goal for Mais Querido was scored by Vitinho at 49 minutes of the final stage. As they had already won the Carioca last year, the red-black team guaranteed the bicampeonato (two-time championship). 



O JOGO
Flamengo started the match trying to impose their rhythm, exchanging passes in Fluminense's midfield. When the Tricolor team tried to move into the attacking field with short passes, Flamengo tightened their marking and managed to quickly recover possession. At 12 minutes, Fla created the first goal opportunity. Bruno Henrique was released at speed, dribbled past Muriel and rolled the ball back. Pedro arrived and shot first-time over the goal.

Fluminense's first dangerous play came in the 25th minute. Nenê crossed the ball to Marcos Paulo at the edge of the penalty area; the striker took a first-time shot, but the ball went over Diego Alves' goal. Flamengo tried to create attacking plays, passing the ball from foot to foot, but they ran into the strong, well-organized Fluminense defense. In the 44th minute, Flamengo almost opened the scoring. Everton Ribeiro turned past his marker and passed the ball to Pedro. The striker controlled the ball in the area and shot across goal. The ball went just wide of the post. Despite Flamengo's high volume of play, the first half ended 0-0.

Flamengo returned for the second half already creating danger. Everton Ribeiro was fouled near the penalty area. Gerson took the free kick and the ball went just wide. Similar to the first half, Flamengo maintained greater possession, managing their lead, while Fluminense sat back to look for counter-attacks. The Tricolor team tried to reach the Flamengo penalty area with crosses, but the defense managed to clear them.

After much persistence, Flamengo opened the scoring in stoppage time! In the 49th minute, Vitinho stole the ball in attack, carried it to the edge of the area and shot with his left foot. The ball deflected off Nino, went over Muriel and into the back of the net: 1-0. And another Carioca title for the Flamengo trophy cabinet!

FLAMENGO LINEUP
Diego Alves, Rafinha (Gustavo Henrique), Rodrigo Caio, Léo Pereira, Filipe Luís (Renê); Willian Arão, Gerson (Diego), Everton Ribeiro, De Arrascaeta (Michael), Bruno Henrique; Pedro (Vitinho).