Tribute to football: Flamengo defeats Santos 5-4 in an epic match
With Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Neymar as protagonists, teams put on a show on the field and play a historic game at Vila Belmiro
By Isabela Abirached - in
Santos, São Paulo, Wednesday, July 27, 2011. An absolutely spectacular show that only 13 privileged guests were able to witness in person. At this location, on this date, the Vila Belmiro pitch bore the marks of two of the greatest stars in the history of Brazilian soccer, who, in 90 minutes, put on nothing less than one of the greatest matches in the history of Brazilian soccer: Santos 4-5 Flamengo.
Not even the most optimistic Flamengo fan—pardon the redundancy—could have written the Santos-Flamengo match that enlivened the national championship at the height of its 12th round. Those jerseys, once worn by Zico and Pelé, now proudly donned Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Neymar, who, inspired and, why not, blessed by the soccer gods, were the protagonists of the most fantastic match in recent—perhaps all—years. A match that didn't decide a spot or qualification, but guaranteed a sparkle in the eyes of Flamengo fans, Santos fans, and all those passionate about the British sport. Soccer breathed tonight.
Electrifying first half
Borges opened the scoring for the Alvinegro Praiano in the opening minutes and soon doubled his lead. With stunning dribbling and a shot in the net in the 26th minute of the first half, Neymar seemed to be predicting that a major rout was coming: 3-0 to Santos. "There's room for more!" the opposing fans surely shouted. And there was room, but not in the net as everyone expected. Far from being dormant, the giant Flamengo came out on top. From the feet of Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Thiago Neves came the two goals that put the Rubro-Negro back in contention.
Before blowing the whistle to announce halftime, the referee threw a bucket of cold water on the Red-Black Nation, awarding a penalty by Willians on Elano. He himself insisted on taking the penalty, possibly to atone for his penalty shootout error in the Brazil-Paraguay Copa América quarterfinals. But the choice of style of kick was unfavorable—at least not for Santos. The careless chipped shot ended in an easy save for goalkeeper Felipe, who made no mistake and followed it up with some juggling before returning the ball to play. At that moment, Flamengo was more alive than ever. And, confirming the maxim that "those who don't score, concede," in the crucial 43rd minute, Deivid leveled the score at Vila.
Another 45 minutes of show
If anyone thought the pace of the game would slow down in the second half, they were mistaken. Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Thiago Neves continued to be Flamengo's maestros, taking advantage of a weakened Santos side that relied on Neymar's quality. It was the youngster's goal that put the opponent back in front just five minutes into the second half. Another comeback. But it wouldn't be the last. A little over 15 minutes later, R10 was more than an excellent free-kick taker. He was a genius. His skill was nothing new, so it was up to him to surprise with his improvisation and boldness. Taking a free kick from the edge of the box, on the right, everyone expected the ball to sail over the wall, but, guided by Ronaldinho's cunning and precision, the ball fooled fans, defenders, and the goalkeeper, ending up low in the back of the net. Four goals for each side.
A draw wouldn't have been a bad deal. Eight goals, not to mention the dance floor, where everyone danced and put on a show. But that night, football wanted more than 40 million passionate fans to celebrate another victory for the world's most beloved club—you have to admit, the energy of the Red-Black Nation is no joke. And with ten minutes left, Ronaldinho Gaúcho called for music. In a deadly counterattack, the number 10 sprinted down the left, burst into the box, and sealed the match—a true tribute to football.
Technical sheet
Brazilian Championship - 12th round - Santos 4 x 5 Flamengo
Location: Vila Belmiro - Santos (SP)
Assistant referee: André Luiz de Freitas Castro (GO). Assistant referees: Marcio Eustáquio Santiago (MG) and Erich Bandeira (PE).
Revenue and attendance: R$ 312.040,00/ 12.968 paying spectators
SANTOS: Rafael, Pará, Edu Dracena, Durval and Léo; Arouca, Ibson, Elano (Alan Kardec) and Ganso; Neymar and Borges. Coach: Muricy Ramalho
FLAMENGO: Felipe, Léo Moura, Welinton (David), Ronaldo Angelim and Junior Cesar; Willians, Luiz Antonio (Bottinelli), Renato and Thiago Neves; Ronaldinho and Deivid (Jean). Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Goals: Borges (1st H/4 and 1st H/16), Neymar (1st H/26 and 2nd H/5), Ronaldinho Gaúcho (1st H/28, 2nd H/22 and 2nd H/36), Thiago Neves (1st H/31) and Deivid (1st H/43)
Yellow cards: Welinton, Willians, Thiago Neves and Renato (Flamengo). Léo and Neymar (Santos).
Not even the most optimistic Flamengo fan—pardon the redundancy—could have written the Santos-Flamengo match that enlivened the national championship at the height of its 12th round. Those jerseys, once worn by Zico and Pelé, now proudly donned Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Neymar, who, inspired and, why not, blessed by the soccer gods, were the protagonists of the most fantastic match in recent—perhaps all—years. A match that didn't decide a spot or qualification, but guaranteed a sparkle in the eyes of Flamengo fans, Santos fans, and all those passionate about the British sport. Soccer breathed tonight.
Electrifying first half
Borges opened the scoring for the Alvinegro Praiano in the opening minutes and soon doubled his lead. With stunning dribbling and a shot in the net in the 26th minute of the first half, Neymar seemed to be predicting that a major rout was coming: 3-0 to Santos. "There's room for more!" the opposing fans surely shouted. And there was room, but not in the net as everyone expected. Far from being dormant, the giant Flamengo came out on top. From the feet of Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Thiago Neves came the two goals that put the Rubro-Negro back in contention.
Before blowing the whistle to announce halftime, the referee threw a bucket of cold water on the Red-Black Nation, awarding a penalty by Willians on Elano. He himself insisted on taking the penalty, possibly to atone for his penalty shootout error in the Brazil-Paraguay Copa América quarterfinals. But the choice of style of kick was unfavorable—at least not for Santos. The careless chipped shot ended in an easy save for goalkeeper Felipe, who made no mistake and followed it up with some juggling before returning the ball to play. At that moment, Flamengo was more alive than ever. And, confirming the maxim that "those who don't score, concede," in the crucial 43rd minute, Deivid leveled the score at Vila.
Another 45 minutes of show
If anyone thought the pace of the game would slow down in the second half, they were mistaken. Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Thiago Neves continued to be Flamengo's maestros, taking advantage of a weakened Santos side that relied on Neymar's quality. It was the youngster's goal that put the opponent back in front just five minutes into the second half. Another comeback. But it wouldn't be the last. A little over 15 minutes later, R10 was more than an excellent free-kick taker. He was a genius. His skill was nothing new, so it was up to him to surprise with his improvisation and boldness. Taking a free kick from the edge of the box, on the right, everyone expected the ball to sail over the wall, but, guided by Ronaldinho's cunning and precision, the ball fooled fans, defenders, and the goalkeeper, ending up low in the back of the net. Four goals for each side.
A draw wouldn't have been a bad deal. Eight goals, not to mention the dance floor, where everyone danced and put on a show. But that night, football wanted more than 40 million passionate fans to celebrate another victory for the world's most beloved club—you have to admit, the energy of the Red-Black Nation is no joke. And with ten minutes left, Ronaldinho Gaúcho called for music. In a deadly counterattack, the number 10 sprinted down the left, burst into the box, and sealed the match—a true tribute to football.
Technical sheet
Brazilian Championship - 12th round - Santos 4 x 5 Flamengo
Location: Vila Belmiro - Santos (SP)
Assistant referee: André Luiz de Freitas Castro (GO). Assistant referees: Marcio Eustáquio Santiago (MG) and Erich Bandeira (PE).
Revenue and attendance: R$ 312.040,00/ 12.968 paying spectators
SANTOS: Rafael, Pará, Edu Dracena, Durval and Léo; Arouca, Ibson, Elano (Alan Kardec) and Ganso; Neymar and Borges. Coach: Muricy Ramalho
FLAMENGO: Felipe, Léo Moura, Welinton (David), Ronaldo Angelim and Junior Cesar; Willians, Luiz Antonio (Bottinelli), Renato and Thiago Neves; Ronaldinho and Deivid (Jean). Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Goals: Borges (1st H/4 and 1st H/16), Neymar (1st H/26 and 2nd H/5), Ronaldinho Gaúcho (1st H/28, 2nd H/22 and 2nd H/36), Thiago Neves (1st H/31) and Deivid (1st H/43)
Yellow cards: Welinton, Willians, Thiago Neves and Renato (Flamengo). Léo and Neymar (Santos).