Final of the 33rd round keeps Flamengo in the G4
Club benefits from home defeats against Internacional and Cruzeiro
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
After doing its part on Saturday, beating Santos in front of a packed Maracanã stadium, Flamengo had a joyful Sunday as they closed out the 33rd round of the Brazilian Championship. With Internacional and Cruzeiro's defeats, Flamengo maintained its lead, remaining in the so-called G4, the qualifying zone for the Copa Libertadores. The fans also celebrated the draw between Palmeiras and Corinthians, which prevented the green-and-white club from opening up an even bigger lead at the top of the championship.
Now, Flamengo is in fourth place, with 54 points, four less than Palmeiras and São Paulo, both at the top of the table, with 58 points, and two less than Atlético-MG, their opponent in the next round.
Rivals help – Ironically, the red-and-black team's Sunday was filled with anticipation for the results of two Rio de Janeiro rivals, Botafogo and Fluminense, both fighting relegation. In Porto Alegre, Botafogo surprised Internacional, winning 1-0. At the start of the round, the Rio Grande do Sul team was fourth in the standings, and with the home loss, they lost the chance to overtake Flamengo.
In Belo Horizonte, Fluminense staged a comeback that gave Flamengo the top-four spot. With three second-half goals, two from Fred, the Tricolor held off Cruzeiro, who were leading 4-2, a result that knocked Flamengo out of fourth place. This is the first time in this season's Brazilian Championship that Flamengo has finished a round in the Libertadores qualifying zone.
Another result, in Presidente Prudente, the 2-2 draw between Palmeiras and Corinthians, helps fuel title hopes. The gap to the leader has dropped from six to four points. According to professor Tristão Garcia of the website Infobola, the red-and-blacks' chances are 5%.
With just five rounds left until the end of the competition, Flamengo still faces Atlético-MG (away), Náutico (away), Goiás (home), Corinthians (away) and Grêmio (home).
Now, Flamengo is in fourth place, with 54 points, four less than Palmeiras and São Paulo, both at the top of the table, with 58 points, and two less than Atlético-MG, their opponent in the next round.
Rivals help – Ironically, the red-and-black team's Sunday was filled with anticipation for the results of two Rio de Janeiro rivals, Botafogo and Fluminense, both fighting relegation. In Porto Alegre, Botafogo surprised Internacional, winning 1-0. At the start of the round, the Rio Grande do Sul team was fourth in the standings, and with the home loss, they lost the chance to overtake Flamengo.
In Belo Horizonte, Fluminense staged a comeback that gave Flamengo the top-four spot. With three second-half goals, two from Fred, the Tricolor held off Cruzeiro, who were leading 4-2, a result that knocked Flamengo out of fourth place. This is the first time in this season's Brazilian Championship that Flamengo has finished a round in the Libertadores qualifying zone.
Another result, in Presidente Prudente, the 2-2 draw between Palmeiras and Corinthians, helps fuel title hopes. The gap to the leader has dropped from six to four points. According to professor Tristão Garcia of the website Infobola, the red-and-blacks' chances are 5%.
With just five rounds left until the end of the competition, Flamengo still faces Atlético-MG (away), Náutico (away), Goiás (home), Corinthians (away) and Grêmio (home).