On Monday night (13), Maracanã was the stage for Clássico dos Milhões. Driven by the search for a place in the final of the 2023 Carioca Championship, Flamengo and Vasco met at the Temple of Football. More than 41 thousand fans - mostly red-black - watched a great game with five goals, a comeback and an advantage for Mengão: 3 to 2. Arrascaeta, Pedro and Fabrício Bruno scored the red-black goals.

With the score, Mais Querido has the advantage of a draw in the return game, which takes place next Sunday (19), at 18 pm, at Maracanã.

The game

Vasco took the lead from the start. In the first five minutes, Gabi and Thiago Maia had shots – the number eight forced the goalkeeper to make a save after Pedro's well-placed pass. Flamengo dominated possession and dictated the tempo of the first half, while Vasco retreated and sought to exploit counterattacks. Gabriel Pec opened the scoring for the opponent in the tenth minute. The goal conceded didn't change the game plan or dampen the red-and-black's momentum, with the team maintaining its proactive stance. The equalizer came shortly after, in the 23rd minute: with a powerful shot from outside the box, De Arrascaeta found the net and lifted the nation. Flamengo continued to press forward and play in the attacking half. Arrascaeta played a one-two with Pedro and shot low, but the goalkeeper saved. Pedro couldn't reach a cross, and Gabi nearly scored after a rebound. The comeback came with a Pedro goal in the first half. Vasco's defense made a mistake in releasing the ball against the red-and-blacks' high pressure, and the number nine made no mistake. Before halftime, Gabi was fouled near the box. The ball was lofted into the box, but it didn't result in a shot.

Rubro-Negro went into the break with 65% possession and 245 successful passes, compared to 99 changes from their rival.

At the start of the second half, the situation remained the same. Flamengo prevailed technically and tactically, dominating the game. Before the eighth minute, Flamengo invaded the opponent's box with danger on two occasions, first with a pass from Gabi to Ayrton Lucas and then with a shot from the number ten that deflected off Pedro and went out over the goal line. Flamengo managed to equalize in the 14th minute, with a counterattack finished by Alex Teixeira. During the technical break, Vitor Pereira made the first changes, bringing on Everton Ribeiro for Vidal and Cebolinha for Ayrton Lucas. In his first appearance, the number seven left Matheuzinho with a position to cross into the box, but no one reached the ball to finish. In the 28th minute, "Miteiro" was fouled on the right while trying to exchange passes with the full-back again. Arrascaeta stepped up to take the shot and found Fabrício Bruno, who headed it back in front. At 33, Matheuzinho got the worst of it in a tackle and had to be substituted, giving way to Matheus França. 

Even with the lead, Flamengo didn't relinquish possession and continued creating chances inside Vasco's box. Cebolinha showed agility and quality on the left, while Gabi took on the role of providing balance in the center of the field. In a great attacking move, Everton Ribeiro found Arrascaeta, who left Pedro free to finish. The number nine shot low, but the Vasco goalkeeper managed to save with his fingertips. Matheus Gonçalves was the last change for Flamengo, coming on for Gabi in the 43rd minute. Shortly after, however, the youngster was sent off. The Flamengo's spirit prevailed in the final minutes, where Vasco failed to create any chances.