BuzzFla: Hat-tricks at Maracanã
Remember that day when a star scored three goals in a single game at the Maracanã? We remember some of them below in this special
By Lucas Dantas - in
Shining at the Maracanã is already a feat for the few. But imagine stepping onto the world's most famous pitch and scoring three goals in a single game? And for Flamengo? That's a rare few indeed. Some players have already achieved this feat while wearing the Sacred Mantle and have left their mark on the memory of Flamengo fans. Tita, Jean, Zico (of course), Adriano, Sávio, Adriano, Romário, and many others have found the net three times in a match (or more), whether in a derby, a draw, or even in a final.
Below, we've put together a list of hat tricks at the Maracanã that will bring back memories for you. Enjoy!
1. T for Tita, T for three
Let's start by going back to 1980, the year of the first Brazilian Championship title. On that afternoon of May 04th, Tita was on fire against Bangu and decided the match with three goals, all in the second half. Don't think facing Bangu was easy. In the 1980s, the red and white team fielded strong, competitive teams that always made things difficult for the so-called "big teams." But that day, Tita delivered.
In the first, he collected a rebound from Nunes and fired a shot past goalkeeper Arerê, leaving goalkeeper Arerê with no chance. The goalkeeper made a mistake. In the 36th minute, he easily sent the ball to Tita, who made no mistake. And wearing number 10, Tita delivered a perfect free kick in the 42nd minute to seal Flamengo's victory. Check out the goals below.
2. Jean 3 x 1 Vasco
It was the 2004 State Championship final. Flamengo and Vasco were deciding the title once again, as the rivals hadn't won a trophy against the Mais Querido for 15 years, since 1989. In the first game, Mengão won 2-1. The second, on April 18, had more than 60 people at Maracanã and a show by striker Jean.
Raised in the red-and-black youth academy, the number 9 took charge in the second half. Valdir had made it 1-0 for Vasco early in the game, equalizing the score on goal difference. The final 45 minutes, however, held a special chapter in the match.
Jean started the celebration with a simple touch that beat goalkeeper Fábio and tied the match in just four minutes. In the 28th minute, Felipe, the team's star player, missed. The ball fell to Zinho, who fed Jean for the second. A minute later, Roger found Jean, who dribbled past Rodrigo Souto to seal the victory. Three goals in a final between Flamengo and Vasco? Very few can say they've done that. Jean can.
3. The devilish Blonde Angel
In 1994, Sávio was still a promising prospect searching for his place at Flamengo. He was already producing excellent performances and scoring goals, earning the nation's love even more with each match.
On that September 26, 2004, Sávio was in the spotlight. Against Sport, in the Brazilian Championship, the then number 11 showed no mercy. After a very difficult first half, Sávio settled the game in the 11th minute of the second half, with a well-placed shot from outside the box. The result calmed the team, which knew how to use the home field to dominate the game and score the second goal. In the 32nd minute, Magno delivered a perfect cross for Sávio to head home. Not satisfied, the young star added another in the 35th minute, his eighth in that season's championship. The final score was Sávio 3-0 Sport, and that was the end of the match.
4. The River King
Romário has always counted Botafogo as one of his favorite victims. Playing for Flamengo, he scored 12 goals against their rivals, including one special performance in 1995. In the Guanabara Cup final, Baixinho was doubtful due to elbow surgery, but he made it to the match. Túlio, his "rival" at Botafogo, stated that "for every goal Romário scores, I'll score two." Well...
In the seventh minute, Baixinho conceded and took the penalty that opened the scoring. In the 22nd minute, he rose above Botafogo's defense and extended the lead. Botafogo fought back—without Túlio, who had been sent off—and tied the match. Despite having the advantage of a draw, Flamengo didn't care and pushed forward. And in the 37th minute, Marcio Teodoro gave Romário a gift, who thanked him and scored the third, the one that won the Guanabara Cup. Túlio? Well, he had a mission to score six goals...
5. The Hexa party with the Emperor was beautiful
Adriano was the man of the 2009 Brazilian Championship. Everyone knows that, and there's no denying it. A top scorer, a star, a decisive player. But Adriano wasn't just scoring goals in several games. He scored many goals, and against Internacional, who ended up being the main rival in the final round, the Emperor scored three in that 4-1 victory on June 21st.
The first was a skillful effort. He received a pass from Íbson and chipped it over Lauro, with the composure of a star. The second was a precision effort. The free kick wasn't that close, but the Emperor didn't care. He sent it straight in and scored Flamengo's third goal of the game. And the final one, a killer one. A penalty to seal the deal. Adriano was still wearing the number 90 and gave the final score to the match.
6. Zicovardia
In 1976, Zico scored four goals against Fluminense, and the newspapers ran this headline the next day: "Zicovardia." But this list is "only" three goals, so let's borrow the headline to remember that February 16, 1986. It was also a Fla-Flu match, and the fans on the other side arrived at Maracanã chanting "bichado" for the Greatest of All, and within minutes they realized they shouldn't have done that.
The massacre began in the 10th minute. Zico received a perfect cross from Adílio and scored the first goal with a diving header. The screams immediately fell silent, as if all 85 people in attendance at Maracanã that day knew the game had a master.
Fluminense equalized with Leomir's penalty, and the players celebrated by taunting the Flamengo fans. Why? Fluminense could barely play, while Flamengo created every chance. It was only a matter of time before the victory was confirmed.
It came in the second half, with exquisite cruelty and a high dose of skill, talent, and "Zicovardia." In the 27th minute, Andrade was fouled just outside the box. It was almost a penalty, but from then on, it didn't even need to be. Zico picked up the ball, studied the wind, checked the angle, the goalkeeper's position, and sent the shot into the top corner. Paulo Victor just watched. Fluminense went to the ropes, and Bebeto extended the lead two minutes later.
The rival's goal was gone, but there was still time for one more, and Zico responded. Were they going to provoke? Then he'll take another. With a penalty, Zico sealed the score and celebrated with the same crowd Leomir had provoked. Then it was just a matter of passing the ball and waiting for the clock to run out.
