Mengão comes from behind to beat Boavista and win their 22nd Guanabara Cup title
In a balanced match, Rubro-Negro wins 2-1 with goals from Diego and Gabigol
By Romulo Paranhos - inIt's champion! In the decision of the Guanabara Cup, played on Saturday night (22) at Maracanã, Flamengo beat Boavista, in a comeback, by 2 to 1 and won the first round of the Campeonato Carioca. The goals of the Most Beloved were scored by Diego and Gabigol, who made the Red-black Nation celebrate in the middle of Carnival.
The game
The match began with Flamengo playing the ball in attack, but Boavista opened the scoring. Left-back Jean took a free kick from the edge of the box, and the ball was powerfully fired into César's top corner. As the match progressed, Flamengo controlled the action and began attacking with the ball passing from foot to foot, but struggled to penetrate Boavista's tight defense. In the 22nd minute, Flamengo nearly equalized. Pedro headed a cross, but the ball skimmed the post. In the final ten minutes of the first half, Flamengo suffocated their opponents in their own half and managed to equalize. In the 43rd minute, Diego received the ball at the edge of the box and took a shot. The ball deflected off the defense and flew over goalkeeper Klever. The score was even at the Maracanã: 1-1.
When the teams returned for the second half, Flamengo threatened in the first minute. After a one-two with Gabigol, Pedro fired a powerful shot, forcing Klever to make a fine save. In the 8th minute, Mengão threatened again! Michael crossed into the box, and Vitinho headed the ball, but the goalkeeper tipped it over for a corner. In the 17th minute, Michael received the ball in midfield, beat his marker, entered the box, and shot. Klever was alert and prevented the second goal for Flamengo. Flamengo dominated the match, moving the ball around to find space to shoot. Then, in the 34th minute, Gabigol received a sweet pass from Pedro and fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net: 2-1. Then, all that was left was to wait for the referee to blow the final whistle for the nation to celebrate at the Maracaiba with the 22nd Taça Guanabara title!
And now?
Mengão returns to the field next Wednesday (26) to face Independiente del Valle, at 21:30 pm, at Maracanã. The clash is valid for the second leg of the Recopa Sudamericana final. It is worth remembering that the first leg ended in a 2-2 draw.
Flamengo lineup
Cesar, João Lucas, Gustavo Henrique, Leo Pereira, Rene; Thiago Maia (Willian Arão), Diego (Everton Ribeiro), Vitinho (Gerson), Michael, Gabriel Barbosa; Pedro.