With a great goal from Arrascaeta, Mengão beat Ceará 3-0 at Castelão
Pablo Marí and Gabigol completed the red-black triumph
By Romulo Paranhos - inSpectacular victory! In a match valid for the 16th round of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo took to the field on Sunday night (25), at Arena Castelão, and beat Ceará 3-0. Mengão's goals were scored by Pablo Marí and Gabigol, in the first half, and Arrascaeta, in the second, with a beautiful bicycle kick. With the result, the Mais Querido reached 33 points in the competition.
The game
The match started off quite tense in midfield, with both teams fighting for possession and committing a few fouls. In the 14th minute, Mengão threatened for the first time. Gabigol took the ball down the left and crossed low for Berrío, who was unmarked, to fire over the bar. In the 21st minute, Mengão opened the scoring with a stunning goal from Pablo Marí. After a throw-in into the box, Rodrigo Caio headed the ball into the middle, Berrío laid the ball off, and the Flamengo defender unleashed a powerful shot into the back of the net: 1-0 Fla!
Mengão wanted more and went after Ceará. In the 34th minute, Renê came in from the left and cut inside. The full-back passed to Gabigol on the right. The number 9 found Berrío, who burst into the box and crossed back. The Brasileirão's top scorer controlled the ball and struck powerfully, leaving Ceará's goalkeeper with no chance: 2-0. And the first half ended with the Rubro-Negro in the lead.
In the second half, Flamengo maintained the same approach and sought to maintain possession by exchanging passes in the attacking half. The dangerous move came in the 32nd minute with Gabigol. Arrascaeta fed the top scorer on the right, the striker's cross-shot just wide of the post. Soon after, Flamengo threatened again. Arrascaeta fed Everton Ribeiro, who crossed from the left. Arão appeared as a surprise player at the edge of the box and headed the ball wide, narrowly missing the post.
In the 51st minute, a masterpiece at Castelão! Rafinha was released down the right, went to the baseline, and crossed. Arrascaeta hit a beautiful bicycle kick from behind the penalty spot, and the ball went into the goalkeeper's top corner for a stunning goal! And with this beautiful goal, the referee ended the match with Mengão winning 3-0.
And now?
This Monday (26), the red-black delegation continues its journey to Porto Alegre. Flamengo faces Internacional next Wednesday (28), at 21:30 pm, at Beira Rio, for the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. In the first match, the Mais Querido won 2-0 at Maracanã.
Flamengo lineup
Diego Alves; João Lucas (Rafinha), Rodrigo Caio, Pablo Marí, Rene; Piris da Motta, Willian Arão, De Arrascaeta, Gerson (Everton Ribeiro), Berrío (Bruno Henrique) and Gabriel B.