Everyone expects something from a Saturday night. And the Nation expected to regain the lead in the Brazilian Championship in the direct confrontation against Atlético Mineiro, at Independência stadium. And playing at their home ground, with a goal from Everton Ribeiro in the second half, Flamengo won 1-0 and reached 14 points, securing their place at the top. Now, the team returns to play in Rio next Thursday against Bahia, at 16 pm, at Maracanã stadium. 

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Without Cuéllar in midfield and with a defense composed of Leo Duarte and Thuler, Flamengo showed the same defensive solidity as in the game against River Plate, even with Atlético pressing harder and having more opportunities. Mauricio Barbieri's team, however, knew how to defend and counter-attack at the right time to win the match. As Vinicius Junior said at the end of the game, the jersey made the difference. 

"The pressure of the shirt weighed on us. Atlético came to their home ground, with their fans supporting them, we changed our rhythm, we sat back, and one play decided the match. It doesn't matter if they hit the post, what matters is that we got the three points and returned to the top of the league," said the striker as he left the field.

The game

Although goalless, the first half was quite lively. Both teams had good opportunities to score, but the ball didn't go in due to small details. Flamengo came first, at five minutes, with a free kick by Diego, which Vitor anticipated and came out to make the save. A minute later, Vinicius Junior made an individual play and shot, but Vitor saved again. Atlético tried to impose themselves based on the crowd's cheers and came close to scoring a few times. At six minutes, Diego Alves made a great save from a shot by Gustavo. The Minas Gerais team continued to press and had their best chance at 27 minutes, when Roger Guedes headed the ball against the crossbar from inside the six-yard box. 

Flamengo responded with Vinicius Junior, who got ahead of Vitor but failed to finish, trying to chip the goalkeeper but shooting weakly. Towards the end of the first half, Flamengo balanced the game more, creating opportunities and holding off Atlético's attacks. In the final minute, Rodinei made a good run down the right and crossed into the area, but the defense cleared seconds before the ball reached Dourado. And the first 45 minutes ended 0-0. 

The team returned unchanged for the final 45 minutes, but Atlético came out of the locker room stronger, creating three consecutive chances with Cazares. Flamengo regained ground, but the Minas Gerais team was more offensive, while Flamengo was left with counter-attacks. And it was exactly in this way that the goal came about. 

At 35 minutes, after a corner kick, Flamengo quickly countered with Vinicius Junior, who outran Emerson and passed to Everton Ribeiro, who was unmarked and scored to put the team in the lead of the Brazilian Championship. After that, they held off Atlético's attack, but with focus and a defense that remains very well-structured. Victory secured, leadership assumed, and Saturday night ends on a high note.