With four rounds remaining in the Brasileirão, this Sunday's match at Ilha do Retiro was crucial for the Red-Blacks' hopes in the competition. Despite not playing their best football and playing ten men less, Flamengo showed grit and defeated Sport 1-0, with a goal scored by Willian Arão. The "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved) moved up to second place with 66 points, closing the gap on leaders Palmeiras to five. e the search for the Brazilian title continues.

Hampered by the poor pitch at Ilha do Retiro and lacking inspiration, Flamengo and Sport had a lackluster first half. The home team dominated the action for the first 15 minutes. Michel Bastos' free kick forced César into a great save from the top corner.

Flamengo didn't have the ball, finishing the first half with 40% possession, and was lacking its greatest strength. Of the five shots in the first half, only one by Vitinho threatened Mailson. Paquetá found Renê running in from the left, the number 6 looked up and saw Vitinho coming. The striker struck a powerful low shot, but Mailson deflected it for a corner.

The scenario in the second half wasn't much different from the first 45 minutes. Until the 17th minute, Paquetá, already on a yellow card, stopped an opponent's counterattack with a foul and was sent off. Down a man, the gamble of bringing on Everton Ribeiro and Berrío in place of Dourado and Geuvânio paid off, and Flamengo went for broke. 

With the clock showing 33 minutes, Ribeiro showed his skill by leading a counterattack and feeding Berrio inside the box. The Colombian headed the ball against the post, what would be the chance of the match. The game-winning goal followed. In the 37th minute, Vitinho took a corner kick, and Willian Arão rose to the near post to deflect it into the back of the net. It was the midfielder's second goal in the Brasileirão, and the victory for the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved).

Mengão returns to the field on Wednesday (21) to face Grêmio, at Maracanã, at 21:45 pm, for the 36th round of the Brazilian Championship.