Flamengo is all about grit - and it was not lacking in this Saturday's (8) classic. Guerrero was out injured, there were a lot of changes in the defensive sector, which saw its captain ruled out due to health issues, and then Rhodolfo and his replacement, Léo Duarte, leaving the field with pain. But there was Everton. Two! From Ribeiro to his namesake, the ball ended up in the back of the net and sealed the deserved victory of the Mais Querido, who dominated from start to finish. And then there was a lot of celebration from the Biggest Fanbase in the World at São Januário.

With the result, Mais Querido sleeps in second place in the Brazilian Championship table, with 23 points won. Grêmio, which has 22, plays this Sunday (9), against Avaí.

Mengão's next challenge is scheduled for Thursday (13), at 19:30 pm. The team returns to Ilha do Urubu for a direct confrontation against Tricolor Gaúcho, in a match valid for the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Troubled beginning and no spaces

With plenty of rivalry, the Clássico dos Milhões started out tough - heavy marking, numerous fouls, and few clear-cut scoring chances in the opening minutes. Flamengo relied on the quality of its players and invested in passing the ball to find space in the Cruzmaltino defense, but it was from a set piece that the team created danger in the eighth minute, when Diego lofted the ball into the box. Rhodolfo stretched out to attempt the diving header, but missed. The defender wouldn't last until the end - he felt pain and was replaced by young Léo Duarte after just 20 minutes.

Technical growth and red-black dominance

In the second half, the game became more open, with Flamengo dominating possession—57% in the first 49 minutes—and the match's attacking moves. Diego participated in Flamengo's second opportunity to open the scoring, in the 22nd minute, but this time, he was the protagonist. Rodinei and Everton Ribeiro linked up on the right, and the number 7 crossed for the number 35 to turn beautifully and finish, but the ball bounced off the defense. Next, Everton Ribeiro, unmarked, was the target of a beautiful through ball from Guerrero—who, as usual, was actively searching for the play outside the box—but the opposing marker cleared it. In the 37th minute, taking advantage of a mistake by Bruno Paulista, the Peruvian took a long-range shot that gave goalkeeper Martin Silva a hard time. Flamengo continued to press and earned two corners in the final moments of the first half, but the score remained unchanged.

The match resumed with a corner kick for Vasco, but without threatening Flamengo's goal. Then, facing the Flamengo fans, Guerrero responded: he swayed to the left of the penalty area, beautifully passed his marker, and crossed; Martin Silva palmed it away, but no Flamengo player could reach the defender's rebound. This was one of the Peruvian's last chances of the match: after two head collisions, the forward left with a large swelling near the back of his neck and was replaced by Leandro Damião.

Dominance turns into a goal in the brilliance of the namesakes

Flamengo opened the scoring in the 17th minute, thanks to a play by the team's two standout players. Waiter Everton Ribeiro earned a hefty tip from his "customer": he pulled off a beautiful feint, spinning past his marker, and then delivered a sweet cross for Everton to head home, 1-0, at São Januário.

Shortly after the goal, Thiago saved a dangerous volley from Luis Fabiano and kept the Rubro-Negro ahead on the scoreboard – which was nearly extended by Everton Ribeiro. Having been a waiter, the number 7 had a chance to extend the lead when he received a backheel from Damião inside the box, but the opposing defense came to the rescue.

To the delight of the red-black fans, Flamengo's dominance continued for the five minutes of added time and the referee's final whistle was drowned out by the nation's cries in São Januário.