It's Mengão at Maraca! Playing at home in the eighth round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo beat Grêmio 2-1 on Thursday night (13) and remained at the top of the competition with 17 points. Luiz Araújo, who came on in the first half, scored twice for Mengão. Edenílson scored in stoppage time for the Tricolor Gaúcho.



The game
The match began with a measured start, with Flamengo trying to control possession in the attacking half, and Grêmio looking to steal possession and counterattack. In the 14th minute, the Red-Blacks had their first real chance to score. Lorran crossed from the left into the box, and Léo Ortiz headed firmly, but Rafael Cabral saved.

A few minutes later, Cebolinha delivered a superb pass to Lorran, who struck hard and the ball went over the goal. The Flamengo's number 11 was subsequently substituted due to pain in his right leg. Bruno Henrique took his place.

Looking to open the scoring, Mais Querido went forward and almost scored the first goal in the 39th minute. Luiz Araújo took a shot from outside the area and the ball hit the goalkeeper's left post.

But in the next play, the number 7 made no mistake and scored a fantastic goal! Pedro passed to the striker, who hit a beautiful shot into the top corner to open the scoring at the Maracanã: 1-0. Mengão went into halftime with the advantage.

Early in the second half, Bruno Henrique received the ball on the left, dribbled past the defender in the box, and was brought down. The referee had almost awarded a penalty, but after reviewing the play with VAR, he reversed his decision.

In the 12th minute, Lorran carried the ball from midfield, dribbled past the defender, and set up Bruno Henrique to strike first time. The ball deflected off the defense and went out for a corner. Lorran took the shot into the box, and David Luiz headed it against the crossbar.

Mengão's second goal came again from Luiz Araújo in the 22nd minute. After a counterattack, Lorran passed to Pedro, who opened the scoring for the number 7 to control and hit the ball into the goalkeeper's right corner: 2-0.

Even with a two-goal lead, the red-and-black team continued to attack, creating chances. In the 34th minute, after a good exchange of passes as the ball started, Léo Pereira crossed into the box for his namesake Léo Ortiz to head home dangerously. Showing confidence, Luiz Araújo took a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball sailed just wide of the crossbar.

And the third was nearly achieved! Luiz Araújo sent a corner kick to Pedro, who forced a great save from the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, Grêmio pulled one back with an Edenílson header to make it 2-1.

The game ends at Maraca with a victory for Mengão, who remain in the lead of the Brasileirão with 17 points.

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Sunday (16) to face Athletico-PR, at 16 pm, at Ligga Arena, for the ninth round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo
Rossi; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Leo Pereira; Leo Ortiz (Victor Hugo), Igor Jesus (Luiz Araújo) and Lorran (Evertton Araújo); Gerson, Everton Cebolinha (Bruno Henrique) and Pedro.
Coach: Tite.

Grêmio
Rafael Cabral; João Pedro (Fabio), Rodrigo Ely, Kannemann and Reinaldo; Dodi, Pepê (Carballo) and Cristaldo; João Pedro Galvão (Nathan), Galdino (Edenílson) and Pavón (Nathan Fernandes).
Coach: Renato Gaucho.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x1 Grêmio – 8st Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 13/06/2024 at 20:XNUMX PM
Arbitration: Luiz Flavio de Oliveira (SP), Daniel Paulo Ziolli (SP) and Luiz Alberto Andrini Nogueira (SP)
Yellow cards: Pedro (FLA), Wesley (FLA), João Pedro (GRE), Galdino (GRE), Carballo (GRE) and Kannemann (GRE)
Goals: Luiz Araújo (41'1st half and 22'2nd half) and Edenílson (50'2nd half).]