On Saturday night (30), at Maracanã, Flamengo had a great performance and thrashed Atlético-GO 4-1 in the opening of the second round of the Brasileirão. The goals of the Mais Querido were scored by Lázaro, Marinho, Vidal and Victor Hugo, all in the first half. With the result, Mengão added 33 points and momentarily took fourth place in the championship. 

The game

Flamengo started the match by taking the initiative and exchanging passes in the attacking half. With a high defense, the red-and-black team made it difficult for Atlético-GO to get the ball out. 

In the 21st minute, Mengão opened the scoring! Victor Hugo made a beautiful run down the right, got past his marker, and sent a low cross into the box. Lázaro, as center forward, only had to tap it into the back of the net: 1-0. 

Atlético barely had the ball in midfield before Flamengo scored their second. Victor Hugo passed to Vidal in the middle, who passed to Marinho. The striker struck powerfully with his left foot from outside the box, and the goalkeeper saved: 2-0. 

The Mais Querido was hungry for goals and extended their lead in the 32nd minute. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty to Edson for a foul on Marinho. Vidal stepped up to take the penalty and struck it powerfully into the corner to score his first goal for the Sacred Mantle: 3-0. 

In stoppage time, Mengão reached the fourth with a stunning goal! Ayrton Lucas delivered a great pass to Victor Hugo, who controlled the ball with his thigh, beat his marker, and then finished off a classy touch over Ronaldo to make the Red-Black Nation celebrate: 4-0. In a great first half, Flamengo put on a show on the field and went into the break with a strong lead.

In the second half, Atlético-GO continued to control the action. Atlético-GO even came out more on the attack, but rarely threatened Santos' goal. As the second half progressed, coach Dorival Júnior made changes to his lineup, bringing on Gabigol, Vitinho, and Thiago Maia. 

In the 31st minute, Gabi delivered a superb three-finger cross to Vitinho's head. The number 11 found himself free, in front of the goalkeeper, but headed wide. In the 36th minute, Atlético-GO pulled one back through Wellington Rato, making it 4-1. 

In the final minutes, Gabi received the ball on the right side of the box, set it up with his left foot, and struck a powerful shot that Ronaldo made a good save. In the 51st minute, Gabi provided another beautiful assist for Vitinho, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but again missed the opportunity. In another excellent collective performance, Mengão dominated the entire game and left the field with the victory. It's worth noting that Flamengo played with a mixed lineup..

Next appointment

Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Tuesday (2) to face Corinthians, at 21 pm, at Neo Química Arena, for the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals.

Flamengo lineup

Santos; Matheuzinho (Rodinei), Pablo, Fabricio Bruno and Ayrton Lucas; Diego, Vidal (Thiago Maia) and Victor Hugo (Everton Ribeiro); Lazaro (Vitinho), Cebolinha and Marinho (Gabi). 
Coach: Dorival Junior.

Atlético-GO lineup

Ronaldo; Dudu, Wanderson, Edson Felipe and Jefferson; Gabriel Baralhas, Marlon Freitas (William Maranhao), Wellington Rato and Jorginho (Churín); Peglow (Léo Pereira) and Ricardinho (Airton).
Coach: Jorginho. 

Technical sheet

Flamengo 4x1 Atlético-GO – 20th Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 30/07/2022 at 20:30 pm
Referee: Caio Max Augusto Vieira (RN)
Assistants: Jean Marcio dos Santos (RN) and Lourival Candido das Flores (RN)
Yellow cards: Ricardinho (ACG), Jorginho (ACG), Edson Felipe (ACG), Marlon Freitas (ACG), Léo Pereira (ACG), Jefferson (ACG) and Willian Maranhão (ACG)
Red card: Luiz Fernando (ACG)
Goals: Lázaro (21'1st half), Marinho (22'1st half), Vidal (32'1st half), Victor Hugo (49'1st half) and Wellington Rato (36'2nd half).