Flamengo beat Vasco 2-0 in the first game of the Carioca final
Bruno Henrique was the star of the match with two second-half goals. One was also disallowed.
By Communication - Flamengo - in
Mengão prevailed in the first leg of the Campeonato Carioca final at Nilton Santos Stadium. The "Mais Querido" defeated Vasco 2-0 with two goals from Bruno Henrique and heads into the second leg of the final, next Sunday, at Maracanã, with a healthy advantage.
First time
In the first half, Flamengo had more possession and more scoring chances than their rivals. Flamengo's most dangerous first attack came from Gabigol in the 10th minute. After receiving a good pass from Everton Ribeiro, the striker fired a cross, but no one was there to finish. In the 19th minute, it was again Flamengo. Gabigol shot from outside the box, and the ball went close to Fernando Miguel's goal. In the 29th minute, Arão crossed into the box, and the ball dangerously sailed past the Vasco defense. In stoppage time, Everton Ribeiro hit a rocket from outside the box, and Fernando Miguel made a great save, putting it out for a corner. Vasco barely threatened.
Second time
Flamengo continued to press Vasco in the second half. Early on, Renê crossed and Gabigol nearly scored with a header. Next, Rodrigo Caio nearly scored with a header from a corner kick by Everton Ribeiro. Flamengo's pressure was so intense that Mengão's first goal came in the ninth minute. After a scuffle in the box, Bruno Henrique, the man of classics, slotted it home: 1-0. In the 22nd minute, Bruno Henrique extended the lead for Flamengo, but the referee, even with VAR, made a mistake and disallowed the Mais Querido's second goal. Bruno was ruled offside. That's okay! Bruno was outstanding, and in the 32nd minute, he scored another: 2-0 and a celebration for the Flamengo fans.
And now?
Flamengo returns to play on Sunday, at 16 pm, at Maracanã, in the second game of the Campeonato Carioca final, against Vasco.