IT'S CHAMPION!!! In the decision of the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo defeated Nova Iguaçu, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon (7), at Maracanã, and won its 38th state title. Bruno Henrique, who came on in the second half, scored a beautiful goal that decreed the victory of Mengão. It is worth remembering that the Most Beloved had already won the first game 3-0. Party of the Red-Black Nation in the Sacred Temple of football!

The game
With a comfortable lead, having won the first leg 3-0, Flamengo began the match doing what it typically does at Maracanã: pressing the opponent's ball out of play to try and open the scoring early. Needing to score, Nova Iguaçu also pushed up the pitch, looking to steal possession in its own half. The team from Baixada was posing a threat to Rossi's goal.

In the 20th minute, it was Flamengo's turn to get their revenge. Varela crossed into the box looking for Arrascaeta, but the defense cleared it for a corner. The game unfolded at a slow pace. Flamengo made some errors in the final pass and struggled to penetrate Nova Iguaçu's box.

In stoppage time, the Mais Querido created two opportunities to open the scoring in the first half. The first came from a play by Ayrton Lucas, who passed to Cebolinha for a well-placed shot, but the ball hit the crossbar. The second came from Arrascaeta, who burst into the box and shot into the corner. Goalkeeper Fabrício made a great save to prevent the red-and-black goal. The first half ended goalless.

In the first minute of the second half, Flamengo narrowly missed the net. After a well-worked move from foot to foot, Cebolinha drove the ball forward and fired a well-placed shot. The ball hit the goalkeeper's left post. Then, in the fifth minute, Pedro delivered a beautiful pass to Arrascaeta in the box; the Uruguayan fired a powerful shot, and the ball went wide.

And it was all Mengão! In the 11th minute, Pedro sent a good pass to Cebolinha, who fired a shot, but Fabrício saved it with his feet. Three minutes later, Pedro attempted a cross into the box, but the ball fell to Cebolinha, who dribbled and passed it low to De La Cruz. The Uruguayan shot weakly, and Yan Silva cleared it almost on the line.

After persisting for so long, Mengão opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a stunning goal! In the defensive half, Léo Pereira sent a beautiful pass to Ayrton Lucas, who crossed into the middle of the box. Bruno Henrique caught it first time and sent it into the top corner. The ball even hit the post before going in: 1-0.

After the goal, the Rubro-Negro continued to attack in search of another goal. In the 33rd minute, De La Cruz sent a corner kick to the far post, and Pedro fired home a first-time shot. Fabrício saved Nova Iguaçu once again. In the final minutes, the Rubro-Negro controlled the result and just waited for the final whistle to lift their 38th Campeonato Carioca title. They're CHAMPIONS!

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (10) to face Palestino-CHI), at 21:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the second round of the group stage of the Conmebol Libertadores.

Flamengo
Rossi; Varela (Evertton Araújo), Fabricio Bruno, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar (Igor Jesus), De La Cruz (Victor Hugo) and Arrascaeta (Allan); Luiz Araújo, Everton Cebolinha (Bruno Henrique) and Pedro.
Coach: Tite.

New Iguaçu
Fabricio; Yan Silva (Fernandinho), Gabriel Pinheiro, Sérgio Raphael and Esquerdinha; Igor Fraga (Ronald), Albert and Yago; Xandinho, Bill (Lucas Campos) and Marllon (João Victor).
Coach: Carlos Vitor.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 1x0 Nova Iguaçu – Second leg of the Carioca Championship final
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date and time: 07/04/2024 at 17:XNUMX PM
Arbitration: Bruno Mota Correia, Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Corrêa and Luiz Claudio Regazone
Yellow cards: Lucas Campos (NIG), Sérgio Raphael (NIG), Léo Pereira (FLA), Lucas Cruz (NIG) and Luiz Araújo (FLA)
Goal: Bruno Henrique (29'2st half).