With two spectacular goals, Flamengo defeats Internacional and takes sole possession of the Brasileirão lead.
Lucas Paquetá and Everton Ribeiro scored in the second half, to the delight of more than 60 Flamengo fans.
By Lucas Dantas - inIt couldn't have been more Flamengo this Sunday. A packed Maracanã, the reunion of an idol with his fans, an undeniable victory, two spectacular goals, and a consolidated lead in the Brazilian Championship. It couldn't get any better... nor did it need to. Flamengo beat Internacional 2-0 in the fourth round, reaching 10 points and securing their lead at the top of the table, two points ahead of second place. All the winning goals were scored in the second half: by Lucas Paquetá in the 25th minute, after a foul he himself suffered, and by Everton Ribeiro, who easily dribbled past the Internacional defenders and scored a fantastic goal in the 42nd minute. The result was a just reward for the team that sought victory throughout, kept possession in the attacking third, and had many more opportunities.
Watched by 60.182 Flamengo fans, the team took to the field to maintain their lead and build momentum in the competition. Their initial tactic was to pressure Internacional in their own half. Pressing high up the pitch, Lucas Paquetá, Geuvânio, and Henrique Dourado gave the Internacional defense little choice but to clear the ball and lose possession. However, Flamengo struggled with the final pass, failing to connect on attacking plays. The first chance came in the 10th minute when Renê launched Vinicius Junior into the box, but the striker's header was weak and easily saved by Danilo. Inter responded dangerously two minutes later when Fabiano crossed and Leandro Damião headed powerfully, forcing a great save from Diego Alves.
Gradually, Flamengo regained control of the match and once again held Inter back in their own half. At the 21st minute, the cry of "goal" finally lingered. In a true Flamengo blitz, Cuéllar crossed, the defense cleared poorly, Paquetá headed the ball into the box, and Rodinei took a powerful shot from the penalty spot, forcing a good save from Danilo, who put it out for a corner. The play brought the crowd to its feet in the stadium.
The game, however, cooled down. Flamengo began to study their opponent, exchanging passes and waiting for the best opportunity. It only came in the 37th minute. Rodinei went down the right wing quickly and crossed low, but Dourado's shot was blocked and the ball went wide to the left of the goal. Even with few opportunities, Flamengo dominated the match, completely controlling it. They exchanged passes and dictated the pace of the game, while Internacional kept all 11 players in their own half, clearing the ball that came their way. Although they had much more possession, Flamengo couldn't find the net and the first half ended in a draw.
The second half continued in the same vein. Flamengo pressed Inter, searching for a goal. Early on, two good plays by Rodinei were intercepted before Dourado and Vinicius Junior could get their shots off. At 11 minutes, the Maracanã erupted. Mauricio Barbieri brought Guerrero into the game and ignited the stadium. A minute later, Geuvânio orchestrated a beautiful play down the right and shot just wide of Danilo's goal, almost opening the scoring.
Guerrero's first play in the shirt since October 19th almost resulted in a goal. The Peruvian received the ball between two defenders, controlled it, and quickly set it up for Vinicius to run freely towards the goal. At the moment of the shot, the striker lost his balance and the ball went weakly wide, but it was enough to once again raise the crowd's spirits. At 22 minutes, another "UHHH" from the stands. Guerrero took a good free kick from midfield, but the ball went wide to the left of the goal.
At 25 minutes, there was no stopping them. With yet another free kick, Flamengo finally scored. Paquetá was fouled and took the kick himself. The ball hit the wall and bounced back to the Flamengo youth player, who volleyed it from outside the box. The ball deflected off Lucca and beat Danilo, opening the scoring for Flamengo, to the delight of the fans.
But the best was yet to come. At 42 minutes, Everton Ribeiro launched a counter-attack, dribbled past the opposing defense, and fired a powerful shot past Danilo. A fantastic goal from a player who had been searching for it for a long time. The celebration was emotional and sealed the result of the match.
The week is just beginning. On Thursday, the team faces Ponte Preta in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16, at the Maracanã, at 7:30 pm. In the Brazilian Championship, the next match will be on Sunday, against Chapecoense, in Chapecó, at 4 pm.