Flamengo got up, shook off the dust and beat Atlético-GO away from home 3-0. Éverton, Damião and the enlightened Rodinei scored on Saturday night (20) at Serra Dourada and left the team sleeping at the top of the Brazilian Championship.
The teams meet again this Wednesday (24), again at Serra Dourada, at 21:45 pm, this time for the Copa do Brasil. In the second leg of the round of 0, Mais Querido will advance to the quarterfinals with any draw with goals; in case of 0-XNUMX, the decision will go to penalties.
First time
Even away from home, Flamengo pushed forward and seized the initiative. By the 13th minute, the team had 72% possession and was relying on flank plays to get closer to the goal.
At 17, a scare. Ederson collided head-to-head with Ricardo Silva, injuring both eyebrows, but the players returned to play after receiving treatment on the field.
While Atlético-GO threatened with a long-range shot from Walter, a dangerous cross from Éverton and a mid-range shot from Arão were the Mais Querido's biggest chances in the first half until, in the 40th minute, Éverton opened the scoring for Flamengo. Atlético's defense poorly cleared the ball, and Trauco, on the rebound, sent a cross into the box; Damião tried to reach it with a sliding tackle, challenged the goalkeeper, and the ball fell to the goalkeeper, who opportunistically finished the ball into the back of the net.
Second time
And if just before the whistle signaled the end of the first half, Leandro Damião almost scored his, just five minutes into the second half he found the net: Arão placed a beautiful ball with his chest and the striker hit it straight away, first time, to extend the lead - 2-0 Flamengo.
From then on, Atlético's Mais Querido (The Most Beloved) improved offensively and scored another goal through pressure. In the 16th minute, Ederson sprinted, stole the ball from the defender, and flicked it on, but the goalkeeper saved it with his foot; the rebound, Damião hit the post. Three minutes later, Damião, Matheus Savio, and Rodinei all blocked the Atlético goalkeeper before the latter grabbed another rebound and made it 3-0. And it's safe to say the scorer is shining brighter than all the spotlights at Serra Dourada - this was the right-back's fourth goal of the year and the final one of the victory.