Playing once again outside of Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo drew 1-1 with Nova Iguaçu this Sunday (21), at the Almeidão stadium, in João Pessoa-PB, in the second round of the Campeonato Carioca. Thiaguinho, in the second half, scored the equalizer. It is worth noting that Rubro-Negro entered the field with a team formed by youngsters from the youth categories. The main squad is carrying out preseason in the United States.

The game
With a team full of "Garotos do Ninho" (Nest Boys), Flamengo started the match putting pressure on Nova Iguaçu. Just two minutes in, Lorran made a good run through the middle, won the challenge, and passed to Thiaguinho. The striker hit a cross, but the goalkeeper palmed it away for a corner.

As the game progressed, Nova Iguaçu began to loosen up and began reaching Matheus Cunha's goal more frequently. The red-and-black team, in turn, tried to attack through passing, but struggled to penetrate the box.

In the 34th minute, Nova Iguaçu opened the scoring in João Pessoa. Noga missed a shot, and the ball fell to Carlinhos, who tapped it over Matheus Cunha's head to put the team from the Baixada region ahead: 1-0. The Red-Blacks went into halftime trailing.

In the second half, Flamengo tried to press the Nova Iguaçu team harder. However, Mario Jorge's team struggled to create chances. In the 21st minute, Lorran delivered a beautiful pass to Petterson, who fired a first-time shot that the goalkeeper made a great save.

Mengão, the better team at that point, equalized in the 25th minute. Lorran passed to Thiaguinho, who dribbled past the defense and fired a shot into the corner. The ball hit the post before going in. A beautiful goal from the young Flamengo striker: 1-1.

In the closing stages, Thiaguinho committed a hard foul, received a second yellow card, and was sent off, leaving the red-and-black team with ten men. Despite being outnumbered, the red-and-black team pushed forward in the final minutes to try to score the winning goal, but the match ended in a draw at Almeidão Stadium.

Next appointment
Mengão's alternative team returns to the field next Saturday (27) to face Portuguesa, at 18:10 pm, at Arena das Dunas, for the third round of Cariocão.

Flamengo
Matheus Cunha; Santiago, Noga, Diegão and José Welinton; Evertton Araújo, Ryan Lucas and Lorran; Petterson (Lucyan), Thiaguinho and Werton (Pedro Estevam).
Coach: Mario Jorge.

New Iguaçu
Fabrício Santana; Cayo Tenório, Gabriel Pinheiro, Sérgio Raphael (Sidney) and Italo Silva; Ronald (Igor Guilherme), Albert, João Victor (Xandinho) and Yago; Carlinhos (Emerson Carioca) and Bill (Lucas Campos).
Coach: Carlos Vitor.

Technical sheet
Nova Iguaçu 1x1 Flamengo – 2nd Round of the Carioca Championship
Location: Almeidão Stadium, João Pessoa-PB
Date and time: 21/01/2024 at 18:10 pm
Arbitration: Jodis Nascimento de Souza, Hugo Filemon Pinto and Júlio César Gaudêncio
Yellow cards: Ronald (NIG), Evertton Araújo (FLA), Yago (NIG), Thiaguinho (FLA), Xandinho (NIG)
Red card: Thiaguinho (FLA)
Goals: Carlinhos (34'1st half) and Thiaguinho (25'2nd half).

Game over in João Pessoa. In the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo tied with Nova Iguaçu 1-1. Thiaguinho scored the red-and-black goal. #CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/YBFKGetANq

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 21, 2024