BuzzFla: Flamengo vs Sao Paulo
Remember that unforgettable game between the teams? We're reminiscing about some memorable moments here.
By Lucas Dantas - inThe Brasileirão is back, and with it the fight to maintain its lead in the standings. Mengão is ready for another challenge. This Wednesday, the match will be against São Paulo, which sits in third place with 23 points. And it will be a game that will decide the competition. With a win, Flamengo will open up a seven-point lead. In the case of a result-that-cannot-be-said, we remain leaders, but the gap will narrow.
However, the expectation is for a victory at the packed Maracanã Stadium this Wednesday. And to celebrate the return of the Brazilian Championship with this classic, let's look back at some special moments from the match in history.
1. The Emperor's First Step
February 06, 2000, is a day marked in Flamengo's history. It was on this date that a 17-year-old came on in the second half of what was then a 2-1 São Paulo match in the Rio-São Paulo Tournament. Within a minute of play, he received a pass from Rodrigo Mendes and took one touch to clear the ball. With another, he beat the defender and with another, unleashed a crisp shot, dispossessing Rogério Ceni and tying the match. Three touches, one minute of play in the second half, and the first goal in 46 years with the Sacred Mantle. This boy's name was Adriano Leite Ribeiro. The world knew him as Adriano Imperador. You can relive the goal below. The score was 5-2 for Mengão. Six more goals in the match, but this was, by far, the most important in Flamengo's history.
2. Dad.....the penalty
Since we're already talking about the Emperor, let's continue with the Hexa? During the campaign, we faced São Paulo in October at Maracanã, a game that had over 57 fans in the stands. The São Paulo team took the lead with a goal from Hernane in the 25th minute of the first half. In the second half, Toró challenged Jorge Wagner and was brought down in the box. Penalty. Pet picked up the ball and took it. Rogerio Ceni stepped up and made the save, but since he wasn't very discreet in his exit, the referee ordered him back in.
Pet got the ball again. Everton came to his side and said, "Dad, we trust you. You can take it again. F(UNPRONOUNCABLE WORD ON A FAMILY WEBSITE) the penalty. Pet went there and scored the goal - with that class that only Pet has.
3. Almost three years later.
The last time Flamengo and São Paulo faced each other at Maracanã was in August 2015. The Flamengo's 2-1 victory marked the beginning of this break on the world's most famous pitch. With more than 40 fans in the stands that Sunday afternoon, Mengão began a six-game winning streak in the competition, with Oswaldo de Oliveira's debut as manager.
São Paulo took the lead with a first-half goal from Luiz Eduardo. But Mengão quickly equalized. Ederson was smart, capitalizing on Thiago Mendes's blunder, and only then tipped the ball over the goalkeeper with the equalizer.
The Nação pushed Mengão forward. The victory was too important in that situation, and the team came out strong in the second half. In the 20th minute, the pressure paid off. Another mistake by the defenders, and Guerrero found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. With class and composure, the Peruvian eliminated any chance of a save and went off to celebrate the winning goal.
4. Island of great goals
While the match marks the return of the classic to Maracanã, the break featured a chapter on Ilha do Urubu, marked by what might be called "the perfect afternoon." Last year, on July 02nd, Guerrero and Diego scored two masterpieces and led the team to a 2-0 victory, to the delight of 17 red-and-black fans on the island.
It was Mengão's fourth match in charge of the stadium on Ilha do Governador and their fourth consecutive victory. All the goals came in the first half. In the 36th minute, a free kick was awarded just outside the box. Guerrero stepped up to take the shot, and the team's confidence in him prevented anyone from even attempting to get the ball. The number 9 was unforgiving. He sent the ball into the top corner, leaving Renan with no chance.
The score was open, but Mengão crushed their rival. The second goal was only a matter of time, and it came in the first 45 minutes. Guerrero set up Everton Ribeiro, who crossed perfectly for Diego to fire home and score another stunning goal. The victory was assured, but the second half was mere protocol. FlaTV recaps the goals below.
5. The Best Team in the World
Imagine stepping onto the field as World Champions? The first game after the unforgettable 3-0 win over Liverpool on St. Sebastian's Day in 1982, Mengão faced a formidable challenge in its first game after winning the title. It was São Paulo, the 1981 Brazilian runner-up, in the opening match of that season's championship.
It was literally Flamengo's first game of the year. The team sensed it, and São Paulo, which was also starting its training but didn't play until mid-December on the other side of the world, took advantage and went up 2-0 right away. Serginho scored first, in the fourth minute, with a cross shot from inside the box. The ball still touched Mozer, but it was already headed in.
Ten minutes later, Serginho, once again, took advantage of Renato's precise cross and, unmarked between the posts, tapped it in. The 85 people at the Maracanã stadium were trying to understand how the world champions were so committed. The first half ended with São Paulo winning, and Carpegiani's team retreated to the locker room to debrief.
A different Flamengo returned for the second half. In the 13th minute, Zico exchanged passes with Lico to pull one back. In the 25th minute, the ball bounced back at the edge of the box, and Andrade unleashed a bomb. All square, now hold on to the world champions, because I want to see them!
Thirty-six minutes into the second half, the game was Flamengo's style, but they needed to kill it. Lico ran down the left. Junior passed like a dart. The number 11 passed to the number 5, who crossed perfectly to the number 10. Zico rose alone and headed the ball to put the game away. A spectacular comeback from the team that showed what it means to be the Best in the World.
The entire game is below for everyone's enjoyment.