A great start to the Cariocão! In the first round of the 2022 Carioca Championship, Flamengo defeated Portuguesa 2-1 on Wednesday night (26), at the Luso-Brasileiro Stadium, on Ilha do Governador. Both of Mengão's goals in the match were scored by Lázaro. It's worth remembering that Mais Querido is playing the first rounds of the State Championship with a team made up of youth players.

The game
Under the watchful eye of Coach Paulo Sousa, who was watching the match at the stadium, Flamengo started the game valuing possession and soon opened the scoring. Two minutes in, André ran with the ball, burst into the box, and was brought down by the goalkeeper. The referee signaled a penalty. Lázaro stepped up to take the kick and scored Mengão's first goal in the Carioca: 1-0.

The Mais Querido pushed up the defense and pressured Portuguesa's ball out, which struggled to break out of its own half. In the 15th minute, goalkeeper Matheus Cunha made an excellent save with his right foot, preventing the equalizer. André excelled in individual plays throughout the match, tormenting the Portuguese defense.

In the 30th minute, Flamengo had a great opportunity to extend their lead. Lázaro received the ball on the left side of the box and hit a powerful cross, but the ball went out of bounds. In the 4th minute, Matheus França fed Marcos Paulo on the left, who crossed for Yuri to deflect. Carlão made the save. With complete control of the game, Flamengo went into halftime with the lead.

In the second half, Flamengo continued to create numerous attacking opportunities. Until the 9th minute, Mengão extended their lead again through Lázaro! Thiaguinho received the ball on the left and unleashed a powerful shot, which goalkeeper Carlão parried right into the striker's path. The Flamengo star struck first time to make it 2-0.  

At 15', Portuguesa reduced the deficit with a Sanchez header, after a corner kick: 2-1. After Lusa's goal, the match was stopped constantly due to fouls committed by the opponent.

In the final stretch, the Red-Blacks managed to hold on to their advantage and emerged with all three points. The Boys from the Nest were superior throughout the match and got off to a flying start in the Cariocão.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Saturday (29) to face Volta Redonda, at 18 pm, at Raulino de Oliveira, for the second round of Cariocão.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x1 Portuguesa – 1st Round of the Carioca Championship
Location: Luso-Brazilian Stadium
Date and time: 26/01/2022 at 21:35 pm
Referee: Bruno Arleu de Araujo
Assistants: Thiago Henrique Corrêa and Carlos Henrique de Lima Filho
Yellow cards: Carlão (POR), Igor Jesus (FLA), Leandro Amaro (POR), Wilian (POR) and Watson (POR)
Goals: Lázaro (4'1st half, 9'2nd half) and Sanchez (15'2nd half).

Flamengo lineup
Matheus Cunha; Wesley, Noga, Cleiton and Marcos Paulo; Igor Jesus (Kayke David), Yuri and Matheus França; Lázaro (Werton), Thiaguinho (Petterson) and André (Ryan Luka).
Coach: Fabio Matias.

Portuguesa lineup
Carlão; Watson, Leandro Amaro, Suéliton and Sanchez; Wellington Cezar (Victor Paraíba), Rafael Pernão (Victor Feitosa) and Wilian (Patrick); Romarinho, Junior Pirambu (Bruno Santos) and Andrezinho (Maikinho).
Coach: Marcus Grippi.

Very good, my friends. #NestKids! Important victory in the debut of @Cariocao! ❤️?#CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/g1JnGtdaMG

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 27, 2022

MAN OF THE MATCH! ?@Lazarovini10 on an unforgettable night. Two goals and victory for Mais Querido with the mark of the number 13. Hey, my boy! ??#Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/aBf9QeFNRm

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 27, 2022