Heading to the quarterfinals! On a festive night in Brasília, Mengão defeated Defensa y Justicia 4-1 at Mané Garrincha Stadium, securing their place in the quarterfinals. Rodrigo Caio, Arrascaeta, and Vitinho (twice) scored the goals for the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved). The Rubro-Negro's next opponent will be the match between Internacional and Olímpia. This was the first match with fans since the pandemic began, and with proper organization and safety, it proved that, in a showdown, football can return with fans in stadiums.

The game
Flamengo started the match imposing its rhythm and attacking Defensa. In the ninth minute, Mengão opened the scoring! Everton Ribeiro took a corner kick, and Rodrigo Caio rose higher than everyone and headed the ball into the net: 1-0.

Defensa kept pressing the opposition, and in the 18th minute, they almost scored their second. Bruno Henrique ran down the left and crossed into the box. Gabigol took a shot, but the goalkeeper palmed it away for a corner. In the 39th minute, Defensa tied the game. Diego Alves tried to break the deadlock with his feet, shot straight at Loaiza, and the ball went in: 1-1. The first half ended all square.

Early in the second half, after a corner kick, Gustavo Henrique rose well and headed the ball firmly, but the goalkeeper saved it. In the 20th minute, Mengão scored their second! After a cross into the box, the ball fell to Michael, who hit a first-time shot against the crossbar. Arrascaeta headed the rebound to give Flamengo a 2-1 lead.

And Flamengo wanted more! In the 37th minute, Arrascaeta drove through the middle, passed to Vitinho, who cleared the ball to his left foot and unleashed a powerful shot. The goalkeeper's mistake, and the ball found the back of the net: 3-1. In the final minutes, Flamengo continued to want more and scored the fourth in the 49th minute. Michael fed Gabigol, who passed the ball first time to Vitinho, who cleared the marker and slotted it past Unsain to seal Mengão's 4-1 win in Brasília.

Flamengo thanks the red-and-black fans for their presence at Mané Garrincha. It was a beautiful celebration in Brasília. With great organization, we were able to put on a great show, both on and off the field. And that's how football should continue. With organization and following all the rules, we can count on the fans, who are always the main contributor to the spectacle.

Next appointment
Flamengo returns to the field next Sunday (25) to face São Paulo, at 16 pm, at Maracanã, for the 13th round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo lineup
Diego Alves; Isla (Matheuzinho), Rodrigo Caio, Gustavo Henrique and Filipe Luis; Willian Arão, Diego, Everton Ribeiro (Michael) and Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique (Vitinho) and Gabi.
Coach: Renato Gaucho.

Defensa y Justicia lineup
Usain; Matías Rodríguez, Frías, Cardona and Soto; Paredes, Escalante (Merentiel), Loaiza and Rotondi (Lucas Barrios); Walter Bou and Contreras (Tripichio).

Technical sheet
Flamengo 4x1 Defensa y Justicia – Libertadores Round of XNUMX return game
Location: Mané Garrincha Stadium, Brasília-DF
Date: 21 / 07 / 2021
Referee: Roberto Tobar (CHI)
Assistants: Alejandro Molina (CHI) and Sebastián Vela (COL)
Yellow cards: Frías (DYJ), Gabi (FLA), Paredes (DYJ), Everton Ribeiro (FLA, Diego (FLA)
Goals: Rodrigo Caio (9''1st half), Loaiza (39''1st half), Arrascaeta (20''2nd half) and Vitinho (37''2nd half and 49''2nd half).

We thank the red-and-black fans for their presence at Mané Garrincha. It was a beautiful celebration in Brasília. With great organization, we were able to put on a great show, both on and off the field. And that's how football should continue... #Let's Flamengo #CRF pic.twitter.com/8vXmXifnPq

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) July 22, 2021