Flamengo debuted in the 2018 Brazilian Championship with a draw against Vitória in Salvador, in a game that had all the makings of a great match, but was marred by confusing refereeing that doubly disadvantaged the "Mais Querido" early on. The 2-2 final score was influenced by a play in the 10th minute of the first half. With the score at 1-0 for Mengão, referee Wagner Reway saw a non-existent penalty for Vitória and even sent off Everton Ribeiro for the play. The team was playing very well and suffered the impact of the action, hampering the rest of the match. 

In his first official match as Flamengo coach, Mauricio Barbieri fielded Diego Alves, Rodinei, Réver, Juan, and Renê. Cuélar, Lucas Paquetá, and Diego. Vinicius Junior, Everton Ribeiro, and Henrique Dourado scored the goals, one in each half, with Yago and Denílson equalizing for the Bahia team. The teams have now played 61 matches, and this was the 15th draw. 

 The ball rolled. Flamengo scored. The Most Beloved started at 200 km/h. Eighteen seconds in, Vinicius Junior found Lucas Paquetá at the edge of the box, and the number 18 fired a shot past Caíque, putting the Red-and-Blacks ahead. The nation at Barradão erupted in joy, but they didn't know what was coming. 

In the 10th minute, a move changed the course of the game. Vitória's attack, Rodrigo Andrade, shot, but Diego Alves saved. The ball didn't leave the box, resulting in a confusing rebound. After Denilson's shot, the ball clearly hit Everton Ribeiro in the face. However, the referee awarded a penalty and sent off Everton Ribeiro, doubling the deficit for Flamengo. After much protesting, Yago equalized. 

Down ten men, Flamengo felt the blow and struggled to recover, taking time to get the ball back into play. Barbieri made a change, bringing on Willian Arão for Henrique Dourado to help out with the defense. Flamengo had a chance to score the second in the 29th minute, with Rever rising higher than anyone and heading powerfully, but it was held by Caíque. Five minutes later, Paquetá made a great play on the byline, but the defense cleared it at the last moment. And the first half ended in a draw. 

The second half began, and just two minutes in, Flamengo had another chance. Vinicius Junior sprinted from midfield, but as he was about to shoot, the ball went too high and went wide, missing a good chance to score the second. 

Barbieri made another change, bringing on Geuvânio for Lucas Paquetá. The game continued at a slow pace, with neither team creating much. In the 21st minute, Diego entered the box and was awarded a clear penalty, but Wagner Reway...

Five minutes later, another mistake. Vinicius Junior was fouled hard, and the referee simply gave Yago a yellow card. But from the spot, Arão headed the ball, Geuvânio controlled it, and Réver scored the second, celebrating wildly and showing the grit that has always been his trademark. But in the 30th minute, Flamengo conceded another equalizer. Denílson rose well into the box and scored for Vitória. 

Immediately after the goal, Flamengo pressed forward, and Vinicius Junior was fouled just outside the box. Diego took the shot, but the ball rose too high and went wide. And that was that, with the score tied at the end of the 90 minutes. 

Flamengo changes the group stage for the third round of the Conmebol Libertadores, on Wednesday, against Santa Fé, at Maracanã, at 21:45 pm. For the Brazilian Championship, the team returns to the field on Saturday, also at Maracanã, at 19 pm, against América Mineiro.

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