Guanabara Cup champion and leader of Group B of the Rio Cup, Flamengo defeated Botafogo in another match in the 2018 Campeonato Carioca. With a goal from Rhodolfo after just three minutes, Flamengo defeated their opponent and moved into a comfortable position in the standings, opening up a four-point lead over third-place. Now, Paulo Cesar Carpegiani's team turns their attention to their next two matches in the competition, against Boavista and Macaé, both away. In the Libertadores, their next match will be on March 3th against Emelec in Ecuador.
Lightning goal and open game
The derby started with a bang! While the teams were still sizing each other up and occupying space, Mengão opened the scoring from a set piece. Diego took a free kick into the box from the right flank of the attack, and Rhodolfo, who had been substituted for the rested Juan, rose high to head the ball into the back of the Botafogo net. Three minutes into the match, the score was 1-0.
From then on, the game became fast-paced and intense, with plays and fouls flying back and forth. Diego Alves blocked two shots from the opposing team, while the best chance for the red-and-blacks to extend the lead fell to Diego, with a free kick.
Everton and Henrique Dourado also found space, but squandered the opportunities they created. The narrow, partial lead remained until the referee's whistle.
Truncated classic
The second half was played at a slower pace. With the heat and the accumulated fatigue of the first 45 minutes, the teams slowed down their play and, in turn, found fewer spaces. Opportunities were scarcer, and as a result, changes were necessary.
Réver was replaced by Leo Duarte for medical reasons. However, Felipe Vizeu and Vinicius Junior came on in place of Henrique Dourado and Everton Ribeiro, as Carpegiani attempted to speed up the game and encourage counterattacks. Vizeu, in his first appearance, tried a strong shot from inside the six-yard box, but the ball went over Gatito Fernandez's goal. Vinicius Junior, as always, displayed captivating dribbling skills from the start, searching for space.
Botafogo threatened with aerial play, and in the 31st minute, a Marcelo header was met by Diego Alves, who made a spectacular save. The game was heading into the final fifteen minutes completely open.
In the 37th minute, while trying to regain possession, Vinicius Junior was shown a red card for a sliding tackle on a Botafogo player. The final minutes promised to be a time of pressure.
However, Mengão held on to the result, securing victory and the top spot in the group in the fight for qualification to the semi-finals.
And now?
Flamengo remains top of Group B in the Rio Cup with six points from three games. Their next challenge will be against Boavista next Wednesday.
Lightning goal and open game
The derby started with a bang! While the teams were still sizing each other up and occupying space, Mengão opened the scoring from a set piece. Diego took a free kick into the box from the right flank of the attack, and Rhodolfo, who had been substituted for the rested Juan, rose high to head the ball into the back of the Botafogo net. Three minutes into the match, the score was 1-0.
From then on, the game became fast-paced and intense, with plays and fouls flying back and forth. Diego Alves blocked two shots from the opposing team, while the best chance for the red-and-blacks to extend the lead fell to Diego, with a free kick.
Everton and Henrique Dourado also found space, but squandered the opportunities they created. The narrow, partial lead remained until the referee's whistle.
Truncated classic
The second half was played at a slower pace. With the heat and the accumulated fatigue of the first 45 minutes, the teams slowed down their play and, in turn, found fewer spaces. Opportunities were scarcer, and as a result, changes were necessary.
Réver was replaced by Leo Duarte for medical reasons. However, Felipe Vizeu and Vinicius Junior came on in place of Henrique Dourado and Everton Ribeiro, as Carpegiani attempted to speed up the game and encourage counterattacks. Vizeu, in his first appearance, tried a strong shot from inside the six-yard box, but the ball went over Gatito Fernandez's goal. Vinicius Junior, as always, displayed captivating dribbling skills from the start, searching for space.
Botafogo threatened with aerial play, and in the 31st minute, a Marcelo header was met by Diego Alves, who made a spectacular save. The game was heading into the final fifteen minutes completely open.
In the 37th minute, while trying to regain possession, Vinicius Junior was shown a red card for a sliding tackle on a Botafogo player. The final minutes promised to be a time of pressure.
However, Mengão held on to the result, securing victory and the top spot in the group in the fight for qualification to the semi-finals.
And now?
Flamengo remains top of Group B in the Rio Cup with six points from three games. Their next challenge will be against Boavista next Wednesday.