In the opening of the Maracanã for the 2025 season, Mengão won! In the sixth round of the Carioca, played on Thursday night (30), Flamengo beat Sampaio Corrêa 2-0, with goals from Wallace Yan and Alcaraz, both in the second half. It is worth noting that the red-black team played with the reserves, since next Sunday they will have the decision of the Supercopa do Brasil, against Botafogo.

Before the ball rolled, Danilo was officially introduced in the Maracanã auditorium as the club's second signing for the season and answered questions from the press. Minutes later, Uruguayan De Arrascaeta received the No. 10 jersey on the field with the blessing of his eternal idol Zico, who appeared on the big screen sending a message to the star.

The game
Resting its starters for the Brazilian Super Cup final, Flamengo began the match controlling possession in the attacking half, circling Sampaio Corrêa's box. The red-and-black team's first good chance came in the ninth minute. Ayrton Lucas headed the ball to Alcaraz, who finished first time from the edge of the box. The ball rose high and went over the goal.

Using a combination of passing, the Mais Querido (Most Beloved) team tried to reach the opponent's box. In the 21st minute, Varela crossed from the right to Juninho, who failed to connect with his header. The ball was weak, and the goalkeeper came out with a punch to clear the danger. Subsequently, after a one-two between Varela and Matheus Gonçalves, the ball fell to Alcaraz, who shot first-time, but Zé Carlos made a great save.

In the final stretch of the first half, the Red-Blacks continued to press their opponents in search of the first goal. Despite overwhelming possession, the goal eluded them, and the teams went into the break with the score unchanged.

In the second half, Arrascaeta came on for Cebolinha, who was making his first start after recovering from the injury. Matheus Gonçalves found the net in the fourth minute, but the referee ruled that the ball went out of bounds early in the play.

More relaxed and with well-worked plays, the Mais Querido frequently reached the attack. In the 10th minute, Juninho chested a pass to Arrascaeta, who passed to Matheus Gonçalves on the right. Gonçalves cut inside and shot with his left foot. The goalkeeper managed to palm the ball away and prevent the goal.

In the 21st minute, Flamengo threatened again. Alcaraz received the ball from Allan, made a good individual play inside the box, and shot, drawing another great save from Zé Carlos. The ball was slowly moving out, and Juninho couldn't get there in time to score.

After so much insistence, Mengão opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Luiz Araújo took a corner kick to the near post and Wallace Yan rose to head it into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance: 1-0.

In the final minutes, the team from Gávea extended their lead! After a corner kick, Luiz Araújo advanced down the left and crossed to Alcaraz, who headed powerfully from the edge of the box to score the second goal for the red-and-blacks and seal the victory.

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Sunday (2) for the classic against Botafogo, at 16 pm, at Mangueirão, for the final of the Supercopa do Brasil.

Flamengo
Matheus Cunha; Varela (Daniel Sales), João Victor, Cleiton and Ayrton Lucas; Evertton Araújo, Allan and Alcaraz (Guilherme); Matheus Gonçalves (Luiz Araújo), Everton Cebolinha (Arrascaeta) and Juninho (Wallace Yan).
Coach: Filipe Luís.

Sampaio Corrêa
Zé Carlos; Lucas Carvalho, Lucas Marreta (Daniel Vançan), Eduardo Thuram and Guilherme; Pablo, Gabriel Agu, Rafael Pernão (Luan Gama); Max, Elias (Iacovelli) and Octávio (Dantas).
Coach: Alfredo Sampaio.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x0 Sampaio Corrêa – 6th Round of the Carioca Championship
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 30/01/2025 at 21:30 am
Arbitration: Julio Cesar de Oliveira, Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Corrêa and Raphael Carlos de Almeida
Yellow cards: Cleiton (FLA), Lucas (SCO), Alcaraz (FLA), Alan (SCO) and Dantas (SCO)
Goals: Wallace Yan (30'2nd half) and Alcaraz (42'2nd half).

END OF THE GAME AT MARACA! MENGÃO defeats Sampaio Corrêa 2-0 with goals from Wallace Yan and Alcaraz, in the sixth round of the Cariocão! #CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/IDHAob0how

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 31, 2025