In the first leg of the Cariocão semifinals, Flamengo beat Vasco 1-0 on Wednesday night (16), at Maracanã. The red-black team's goal was scored by Gabigol, from a penalty, at the end of the first half. With the result, Mengão takes the advantage of one goal to the second leg.

The game
Flamengo started the match valuing possession and exchanging passes in the attacking half. In the ninth minute, Arrascaeta took a corner kick, which the goalkeeper punched away. On the rebound, Gabi played a one-two with Everton Ribeiro and shot, but the opposing defense managed to clear.

The red-and-black team pressed the ball under pressure, making it difficult for Vasco to get the ball out of play, as they sought long passes. In the 24th minute, Andreas launched Bruno Henrique at speed, who passed to Gabi. The striker hit a powerful cross, and Thiago Rodrigues parried it. In the 35th minute, Arrascaeta took a corner kick and nearly scored a goal.

In the 41st minute, Mengão opened the scoring at the Maracanã! In a move inside the box, Anderson Conceição rose to head the ball, but the ball deflected off his arm. After a VAR review, the referee awarded the penalty. Gabi stepped up to take the penalty and only displaced the goalkeeper to score Flamengo's first goal: 1-0. With complete control of the game, the Mais Querido went into halftime with the advantage.

In the second half, the game was a lot of back-and-forth in midfield. Flamengo continued to have more possession, while Vasco attacked more than in the first half. In the 33rd minute, Lázaro made a good play inside the penalty area and the ball fell to Marinho, who shot across goal. The ball went very close to the goal.

In a second half with few opportunities created, Fla secured the victory and opened up an advantage for the second game of the semifinals.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Sunday (20) to face Vasco again, at 16 pm, at Maraca, for the second game of the Cariocão semifinals.

Technical sheet
Vasco 0x1 Flamengo – 1st Game of the Semifinals of the Carioca Championship
Location: Maracanã
Date and time: 16/03/2022 at 20:XNUMX PM
Referee: Felipe da Silva Gonçalves Paulo
Assistants: Luiz Claudio Regazone and Michael Correia
Yellow cards: Andreas (FLA), Matheuzinho (FLA), Juninho (VAS), Figueiredo (VAS) and Léo Matos (VAS)
Goal: Gabi (41'1st half).

Flamengo lineup
Hugo; Matheuzinho (Rodinei), Fabricio Bruno, David Luiz and Filipe Luis; Willian Arão, Andreas (João Gomes), Arrascaeta and Everton Ribeiro (Marinho); Bruno Henrique (Lazaro) and Gabi (Pedro).
Coach: Paulo Sousa.

Vasco's lineup
Thiago Rodrigues; Leo Matos, Juan Quintero, Anderson Conceição and Edimar; Joe Gabriel (Luiz Henrique), Juninho (Yuri), Weverton (Figueiredo) and Nene (Vitinho); Gabriel Pec (Bruno Nazario) and Raniel.
Coach: Zé Ricardo.

THIS IS FLAMENGO! #VASxFLA #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/F2KY2SWpnF

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 17, 2022

END OF THE GAME AT THE MARACA! Mengão beat Vasco 1-0 with a goal from Gabigol in the first leg of the Campeonato Carioca semifinal! The return leg will be played this Sunday, also at the Maraca! #CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/uOsicV34OP

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 17, 2022