In the classic of the third round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo lost to Botafogo 3-2 on Sunday afternoon (30), at Maracanã. Léo Pereira scored both goals for the red-blacks. Now, the Mais Querido will face Racing, on Thursday (4), for the Libertadores

The game
The derby began with Flamengo controlling possession and looking to attack through passing. Just five minutes in, they had their first clear chance to score. Wesley, from the right, sent a low cross into the box, Vidal appeared unmarked and shot. The ball hit the black and white goalkeeper's right post.

In the 11th minute, Ayrton Lucas crossed into the box, but Botafogo's defense failed to clear the ball, leaving Cebolinha to attempt a first-time shot from outside the box. Lucas Perri made the save. The red-and-black team continued to control the ball. In the 16th minute, Cebolinha passed to Ayrton on the left, who pulled it back and unleashed a powerful shot that the goalkeeper saved.

In the 27th minute, Victor Sá was brought down in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Tiquinho stepped up to take the penalty and opened the scoring for Botafogo at Maracanã: 1-0. After the goal, the Red-Blacks continued to press their opponents. In the 36th minute, Léo Pereira crossed into the box, and Pedro headed the ball, forcing another great save from the goalkeeper.

In first-half stoppage time, Botafogo extended their lead with Danilo Barbosa, who rose unmarked to head home a corner kick: 2-0. Flamengo went into the break needing to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Less than a minute into the match, Flamengo created the best chance of the game. Everton Ribeiro delivered a beautiful pass to Gabi in the box, but the striker's shot was weak. Ribeiro then delivered another superb pass to the number 10, who again missed the chance to reduce the deficit.

Early on, Botafogo found itself ten men down after full-back Rafael hit Cebolinha with the sole of his foot, earning a second yellow card. With the numerical advantage, Flamengo pressed forward in search of the first. Cebolinha ran down the left, set up his good foot, and struck hard. Lucas Perri saved with his fingertips.

Then, in the 12th minute, Mengão pulled one back at the Maracanã Stadium! Fabrício Bruno, from the right, delivered a precise cross for Léo Pereira to hit first time to bulge the net: 2-1. Mengão continued to attack in search of the equalizer. A good play between Wesley and Everton Ribeiro on the right, the number 7 crossed low and Gabi missed another great chance.

At 25', Botafogo extended their lead again with Tiquinho Soares, who struck first time inside the box: 3-1. Rubro-Negro did not give up and went after the second goal, which came at 40'. Everton Ribeiro took a corner kick into the box and again Léo Pereira, this time with a header, completed the goal: 3-2.

In the 43rd minute, Matheus França was released into the box and crossed back. David Luiz headed dangerously, but the ball went wide. In stoppage time, Matheus França made a great play, burst into the box, and passed to Marinho, who controlled the ball and fired home. Once again, Lucas Perri saved Botafogo.

Flamengo tried to equalize until the last minute, but ended up losing.

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Thursday (4) to face Racing, at 19 pm, at El Cilindro, in Avellaneda-ARG, for the third round of Group A of the Libertadores.

Flamengo lineup
Santos; Wesley (Marinho), Fabricio Bruno, David Luiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Everton Ribeiro); Thiago Maia (Victor Hugo), Vidal (Matheus França) and Cebolinha (Bruno Henrique); Gabi and Pedro.
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli.

Botafogo lineup
Lucas Perri; Rafael, Adryelson, Victor Cuesta and Marçal; Danilo Barbosa, Tchê Tchê (Philipe Sampaio) and Eduardo (Marlon Freitas); Junior Santos (Di Placido), Victor Sá (Luis Henrique) and Tiquinho Soares.
Coach: Luis Castro.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x3 Botafogo - 3rd Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date: 30 / 04 / 2023
Refereeing: Edina Alves Batista (SP), Neuza Ines Back (SP) and Leila Naiara Moreira da Cruz (DF)
Yellow cards: Gabi (FLA), Vidal (FLA), Rafael (BOT), David Luiz (FLA), Thiago Maia (FLA), Tiquinho Soares (FLA) and Victor Cuesta (BOT)
Red card: Rafael (BOT)
Goals: Tiquinho Soares (29'1st half and 25'2nd half), Danilo Barbosa (49'1st half) and Léo Pereira (12'2nd half and 40'2nd half).