On Thursday night (11), Flamengo ended up being defeated by Fortaleza by 2 to 1, at Maracanã, in a game valid for the 16th round of the Brasileirão. Pedro, from a penalty, scored the only red-black goal in the match. With the defeat, Rubro-Negro ended up being overtaken by Botafogo and Palmeiras in the classification table.

Now, the Mais Querido will only play again on July 20th, when they face Criciúma in Brasília. Coach Tite will count on the return of Arrascaeta, De La Cruz, Varela, and Viña, who were playing for Uruguay's national team in the Copa América.

The game
Flamengo, as usual, started the match looking to attack and take the lead, which they nearly did in the fifth minute. After a free kick by David Luiz, the ball fell to Luiz Araújo, who sent it into the box. Ayrton Lucas deflected the ball, and Pedro got the ball in the six-yard box and attempted a shot, but the goalkeeper saved it.

In the 10th minute, Fortaleza took the lead with an own goal from Wesley, who went up to clear a corner and ended up sending it into his own net: 1-0.

At a disadvantage, the red-and-black team was forced to attack more than ever, exchanging passes near the opponent's box. In the 20th minute, Matheus Gonçalves played a one-two with Pedro, burst into the box, and fired a cross. The ball went just wide of João Ricardo's right post.

The red-and-black pressure continued. In the 30th minute, after an exchange of passes in the attacking half, Matheus Gonçalves passed back to David Luiz, who unleashed a powerful shot that forced the goalkeeper to make a great save. Subsequently, a corner kick into the box was deflected by Erick Pulgar, and the ball fell to Pedro, who volleyed it onto the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Pedro received the ball at the edge of the box, advanced toward goal, and was tackled by Pedro Augusto. The referee, without a second thought, pointed to the spot. Penalty for Mengão in the 34th minute. The Brasileirão's top scorer converted with skill to tie the match: 1-1. The teams went into halftime tied, with Flamengo having the upper hand.

Early in the second half, David Luiz led a counterattack, passed to Ayrton Lucas, received the ball back, and unleashed a shot. The ball sailed over the crossbar. Fortaleza, in turn, came back pressing the red-and-blacks' ball out, posing more danger to Rossi's goal.

At 17', Fortaleza scored the second goal with Lucero, who hit the ball first time from the edge of the area into Rossi's right corner to put Tricolor back in the lead: 2-1.

After conceding the goal, coach Tite brought on Gabi and Léo Ortiz in place of Allan and Fabrício Bruno, respectively. In the 28th minute, the red-and-black team created two dangerous chances. The first was a powerful shot from Matheus Gonçalves, which forced João Ricardo to palm away. And the second came from Gerson, who unleashed a powerful shot that forced the goalkeeper to work again.

In the 43rd minute, Gabi scored with a header, but VAR ruled the striker offside. Rubro-Negro fought for an equalizer until the end, but ended up suffering their second home defeat.

Next appointment
The Mais Querido returns to the field on July 20th to face Criciúma, at 16 pm, at the Mané Garrincha stadium, in the 18th round of the Brasileirão. It's worth noting that the match against Internacional, in the 17th round, has been postponed.

Flamengo
Rossi; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno (Leo Ortiz), David Luiz (Leo Pereira) and Ayrton Lucas; Allan (Gabi), Erick Pulgar and Gerson; Luiz Araújo (Luiz Araújo), Matheus Gonçalves and Pedro.
Coach: Tite.

Fortaleza
João Ricardo; Tinga, Brítez, Cardona and Felipe Jonatan (Bruno Pacheco); Hercules, Pedro Augusto and Pochettino (Lucas Sasha); Yago Pikachu (Kuscevic), Lucero (Renato Kayzer) and Breno Lopes (Moses).
Coach: Juan Vojvoda.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 1x2 Fortaleza – 16th Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Audience and income: 57.517 / R$ 2.947.820,00
Date and time: 11/07/2024 at 20:XNUMX am
Referees: Edna Alves Batista (FIFA/SP), Alex Ang Ribeiro (FIFA/SP) and Maira Mastella Moreira (FIFA/RS)
Yellow cards: Cardona (FOR) and Allan (FLA)
Goals: Wesley (own goal 10'1st half), Pedro (38'1st half) and Lucero (17'2nd half).