Mengão won in the classic between the two biggest fan bases in the country! In the seventh round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo beat Corinthians 1-0 on Sunday afternoon (21), at Maracanã. Léo Pereira, in the second half's injury time, scored the goal that gave the red-blacks their fourth victory in the competition.

The game
With a key last-minute absence, as Uruguayan Arrascaeta felt discomfort in his right thigh during warm-ups, Flamengo began the match trying to maintain possession. Corinthians, meanwhile, positioned their players behind the midfield line, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

In the 18th minute, Flamengo threatened Cássio's goal. Erick delivered a beautiful pass to Gabi at the edge of the box, who squared it to his left foot and attempted a cross-shot. Bruno Méndez arrived at the last moment to block the shot. Despite controlling possession in the attacking half, Flamengo struggled to create chances when it came to putting their teammate in front of goal.

In stoppage time, Mengão pushed forward and created two chances. The first came from Gabi, who received the ball from Pedro and unleashed a left-footed shot. Goalkeeper Cássio palmed it out for a corner with his fingertips. The second fell to Victor Hugo. The midfielder received the ball at the edge of the box, beat two defenders, and struck hard, but the ball deflected off Murillo and out for a corner. The red-and-black team narrowly avoided opening the scoring in the first half.

Early in the second half, Corinthians came out on top, forcing goalkeeper Santos into two excellent saves. Noticing the São Paulo team's positive form, coach Jorge Sampaoli immediately made his first substitution, taking off striker Pedro and replacing him with Everton Cebolinha.

Little by little, the red-and-black team regained control of the game and continued to maintain possession in the attacking half. In the 32nd minute, Léo Pereira took a free kick from the left edge of the penalty area, and the ball went just wide of the crossbar. In the final stretch, the game was tight, with no significant chances for either side.

After so much persistence, Mengão was rewarded with a goal in the 48th minute, just before the end of the match! Cebolinha received the ball on the left, managed to get away from Romero and crossed to Léo Pereira, who headed it into the back of the net and gave Flamengo the victory, to the delight of the Red-Black Nation who, once again, packed the Maracanã!

Next appointment
Mengão returns to the field next Wednesday (24) to face Ñublense, at 21 pm, at the Municipal de Concepción stadium, in the fourth round of Group A of the Libertadores.

Flamengo
Santos; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick (Vidal), Thiago Maia, Victor Hugo (Matheus Gonçalves) and Gerson; Gabi and Pedro (Everton Cebolinha).
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli.

Corinthians
Cassio; Bruno Méndez (Fagner), Murillo, Gil and Matheus Bidu; Fausto Vera, Maycon and Paulinho; Adson (Wesley), Roger Guedes and Yuri Alberto (Romero).
Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 1x0 Corinthians - 7th Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date: 21 / 05 / 2023
Refereeing: Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS), Nailton Junior Oliveira (FIFA/CE) and Mauricio Coelho Penna (RS)
Yellow cards: Bruno Méndez (COR) and Cássio (COR)
Goal: Léo Pereira (48'2nd half).

MENGÃO NEVER GIVES UP! Check out the goal by @leopereira_04, against Corinthians, for @Brazilian, directly from the Maracanã lawn! ?⚫?#Let's Flamengo #CRF pic.twitter.com/jcaqyDUIun

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 21, 2023