Flamengo beat Sport 3-0 with a brilliant performance from Bruno Henrique and a stunning goal from Arrascaeta.
Uruguayan scored a beautiful free-kick in a match that also featured two goals from Bruno Henrique and a controversial red card for Evertton Araujo.
By Daniel Falbo - inFlamengo beat Sport at Maracanã this Saturday (1), in a game valid for the thirty-first round of Brasileirão Betano. The victory came through the feet of Bruno Henrique and Arrascaeta, with a great performance from Samuel Lino and De la Cruz. The well-positioned defensive system kept away the very few attempts from the opposing attackers and the result was built in the second half. Evertton Araújo received a direct red card in a play that the referee initially warned him with a yellow card, but changed his mind after the VAR was activated.
With this victory, Flamengo remains in the fight for the lead with 64 points, and could return to first place in the championship if Palmeiras does not win against Juventude this Sunday (2).
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The game
The match began with the visiting team launching an attack. Despite having more possession early on, Sport failed to threaten Flamengo, who quickly imposed their rhythm on the game. The match continued with Flamengo pressing high up the pitch, looking to initiate attacking plays closer to the goal.
Six minutes in, the first shot on goal of the game. De la Cruz tried a shot from outside the box, but the ball went wide. A minute later, Emerson Royal crossed from the right and Carrascal headed the ball. It went harmlessly wide of the goal.
With Sport positioned in a way that congested the midfield, overlapping runs down the flanks became frequent for the Mais Querido attack. Saul, at 10 minutes, tried a left-footed shot from outside the area, but the ball went over the bar. Samuel Lino almost opened the scoring 12 minutes into the first half. De la Cruz found the number 16 running down the left, and the winger's low, cross-shot grazed the post. The next attack was the result of a great play by Gonzalo Plata. He received a header from Emerson Royal, entered the area exchanging passes with Samuel Lino, and left Bruno Henrique in a favorable position to shoot, but his shot was powerful and went over the goal.
The chances were piling up, becoming increasingly dangerous. Twenty minutes into the game, Luiz Araújo replaced Carrascal. Two minutes later, Samuel Lino received a pass from Plata while running down the right wing. He won the challenge against his opponent, and with two body feints, caused two defenders to fall. The goalkeeper saved Lino's shot without giving up a rebound.
The Pernambuco team tried to run down the clock with a defensive passing game, valuing possession without looking to attack. When the defenders were cornered, a long ball was inevitable and Flamengo regained control of the ball.
At 31 minutes, Samuel Lino crossed low, Saul shot hard, and the ball deflected off Plata, taking it away from the goal. At 32 minutes, it was Emerson Royal's turn to make a run down the right and shoot hard, forcing an important save from the Sport goalkeeper. In the first response of the first half, Léo Pereira, the right winger for the team from Ilha do Retiro, was offside.
With 8 minutes remaining in the first half, Flamengo had a corner kick. De la Cruz took it towards the edge of the six-yard box, the defense deflected it high, and Léo Pereira, Flamengo's defender, shot wide. At 39 minutes, a powerful shot from Nico de la Cruz forced goalkeeper Gabriel to make the most difficult save of the game so far.
At 43 minutes, Sport won two consecutive corner kicks. On the second cross, Rossi rose high and initiated a series of passes that resulted in a powerful shot from Bruno Henrique that went over the crossbar. The referee signaled 4 minutes of added time for the first half.
At 46 minutes, in a dangerous cross from Luiz Araújo, Léo Pereira (defender) headed the ball into the penalty area, and the opposing defense cleared it for a corner. That was the last dangerous play of the first half.
The second half began the way the first half ended. Flamengo maintained control of the game, while their opponents played defensively, trying to cool things down. Four minutes in, De la Cruz took a long-range shot that went just wide of the post. A minute later, the crowd at the Maracanã erupted in celebration. Bruno Henrique received a perfect pass from Samuel Lino, adjusted his body, and fired a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper. With this assist, Samuel Lino reached his fifth assist since arriving.
With 8 minutes left in the second half, Plata was replaced by Arrascaeta. The fans erupted as if it were a goal when the Uruguayan entered the game, and followed it up with the national anthem sung at the top of their lungs.
Ayrton Lucas was released down the left wing, crossed into the box, but his shot was weak, making it an easy save for the Sport goalkeeper. A foul by Ayrton Lucas in the 11th minute resulted in a yellow card.
It was the 14th minute when Emerson Royal unleashed a shot, and the goalkeeper from the Pernambuco team sent it out for a corner. At the 15th minute, Bruno Henrique scored his second goal: 2-0 Flamengo. Gabriel parried Danilo's header, and Flamengo's number 27 put the rebound into the net. It was his 106th goal for Flamengo, his eleventh of the season. It was also his twentieth shot on goal in the game, compared to none from Sport. Bruno Henrique had another shot on goal in the 18th minute, resulting in a goal kick.
The game's best goal came in the 21st minute. Arrascaeta took a free kick from midfield into the top corner; the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball, but it wasn't enough to prevent the goal, which went into the gallery of spectacular free-kick goals at the Maracanã.
The nation sang loudly, and the opponent tried to minimize the chances of a larger score. Barletta entered the game and set up two corner kicks for Sport to try and score from crosses. There were three corner kicks in a 5-minute span, without any effectiveness.
With 15 minutes remaining in the second half, a triple substitution for Flamengo. João Victor, Evertton Araújo, and Juninho came on for Léo Pereira, De la Cruz, and Bruno Henrique. At the 34-minute mark, Arrascaeta set up Juninho for a clear shot on goal. He shot, but the goalkeeper made the save. In the ensuing attack, Juninho shot over the bar with his left foot.
At 36, Sport had their first shot on target. Barletta shot from distance, but it lacked the power to get past goalkeeper Rossi. In the next play, Evertton Araújo received a yellow card. The opposing team pressured the referee, and goalkeeper Gabriel received a yellow card for complaining. Rossi also received a yellow card. VAR called the referee to review the Evertton Araújo incident, and the referee rescinded the yellow card and issued a red card.
Bruno Henrique received a yellow card for complaining on the substitutes' bench. Sérgio Oliveira took the free kick dangerously, and Rossi palmed it away for a corner in the 42nd minute.
Six minutes of added time were given, and in the 46th minute, Juninho received a pass from Arrascaeta, collided with the defender and fell. The referee didn't see a penalty and let the game continue. It was the last dangerous play of the match, which ended with a victory for Mengão. The Most Beloved sleeps in the lead of the championship this Saturday (1) with 64 points.
Flamengo
Rossi; Emerson Royal, Danilo, Léo Pereira (João Victor) and Ayrton Lucas; Saul, De la Cruz (Evertton Araujo) and Carrascal (Luiz Araújo); Samuel Lino, Plata (Arrascaeta) and Bruno Henrique (Juninho).
Coach: Filipe Luís.
Sports
Gabriel; Aderlan, Ramon and Igor Cariús; Christian Rivera, Lucas Kal, Sérgio Oliveira and Lucas Lima (Chrystian Barletta); Léo Pereira, Romarinho (Pedro Augusto) and Derik Lacerda (Pablo).
Coach: César Lucena.
Week's agenda
Flamengo returns to the field next Wednesday (5) to face São Paulo, at 21:30 pm, at Vila Belmiro, for the 32nd round of the Brasileirão.
Technical sheet
Flamengo 3-0 Sport – Brazilian Championship | Round 31
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 01/11/2025 at 21:XNUMX PM
Referees: Fernando Antonio Mendes Filho (PA), Eduardo Goncalves da Cruz (MS) and Marcio Gleidson Correia Dias (PA)
Yellow cards: Rossi (FLA), Gabriel (SPT), Ayrton Lucas (FLA) and Bruno Henrique (FLA)
Red card: Evertton Araujo (FLA)
Goals: Bruno Henrique (5' and 14' 2nd half) and Arrascaeta (21' 2nd half).
