It wasn't a technically brilliant match, but Flamengo's willpower made the difference, and the Red-Blacks left Pacaembu with three important points in the Brasileirão. Delighted with the victory, the Gávea team's players celebrated the result in the team's penultimate match before the competition was suspended for the World Cup.

Chilean Maldonado believes Flamengo deserved the victory. According to him, despite not creating many scoring opportunities, the team played well tactically and was intelligent in its decision-making.

"It was a very good and important victory for us to climb the table. We played an intelligent game and I knew that, with the good marking we had, at some point we would have a chance to score. It came from Vagner's play and the result was more than deserved," he said.

For midfielder Fernando, the team grew in the second half, after a lackluster first half, especially in the decisive passes.

"I think we missed that final pass. The team was doing well, but they were making a lot of mistakes with the final ball," he analyzed.

With nine points, Flamengo is fourth in the table, and before the break for the World Cup, they still face Goiás, on Saturday, at Maracanã.