In the 17th round of the Brasileirão, Mengão put on a show and applied a 5-1 thrashing over Corinthians, on Sunday afternoon (18), at Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. The goals of the Mais Querido were scored by Everton Ribeiro, Vitinho, Natan, Bruno Henrique and Diego. With an excellent collective performance, Rubro-Negro had no great difficulties in building the advantage and guaranteed three more points in the classification table.

The game
The first half began with a fierce battle in midfield, with intense competition for possession. In the 9th minute, Flamengo opened the scoring through Pedro, but after a VAR check, the goal was disallowed due to an irregularity in the play's origin.

With the majority of possession, the red-and-black team passed the ball around Corinthians' half, trying to find an opening to penetrate the black-and-white defense. In the 24th minute, Everton Ribeiro and Vitinho made a beautiful move down the right, the number 11 returned the ball, and Everton struck first time. The ball sailed over the goal.

In the 31st minute, Mengão scored the first goal! Filipe Luís received the ball on the left, set it up, and crossed to Everton Ribeiro's head, who only just beat Cássio to open the scoring: 1-0. After the goal, the match became quite choppy in midfield, with fouls on both sides committing several fouls. Mengão went into the locker room with the advantage.

Early in the second half, Flamengo extended their lead with a stunning goal! Everton Ribeiro cut inside Otero, raced upfield, and passed to Vitinho, who controlled the ball and sent it into the corner, leaving Cássio with no chance: 2-0. And Flamengo wanted more, scoring their third goal in the 12th minute. Everton Ribeiro sent a corner kick to the far post, but Natan won the ball in the air and headed it into the left corner: 3-0.

At 18', Corinthians reduced the score with Gil, with a header: 3-1. As the game continued, the black-and-white team forced Hugo into two great saves. But the Red-and-Blacks were in excellent form and, in the 26th minute, scored their fourth goal! In a quick move, Vitinho fed Isla on the right, who crossed low. The ball flew past everyone, and Bruno Henrique arrived to tap it into the back of the net: 4-1.

Mengão was unstoppable and scored another stunning goal! Gabriel made a poor pass and handed the ball to Arão, who passed it to Lincoln. The forward passed to Diego, who dribbled past the Corinthians defense, went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and scored the fifth goal for the red-and-blacks: 5-1.

With an excellent collective performance, Mais Querido achieved victory with great superiority on the field, guaranteeing three more very important points in the fight for the top spots in the championship.

And now?
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (21) to face Junior Barranquilla, at 21:30 pm, at Maracanã. The clash is valid for the last round of the group stage of the Libertadores.

Flamengo lineup
Hugo, Isla, Gustavo Henrique, Natan, Filipe Luis; Thiago Maia (Willian Arão), Gerson, Everton Ribeiro (Ramon), Vitinho (Diego), Bruno Henrique; Pedro (Lincoln).
Coach: Domènec Torrent