In the first leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-finals, it was Mengão! Flamengo beat Grêmio 2-0 this Wednesday (26), at Arena do Grêmio, in Porto Alegre. Gabigol and Thiago Maia scored the goals in the red-black triumph away from home.

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The game

Despite playing away from home, Flamengo started the match taking the initiative, exchanging passes in the attacking half. In the fourth minute, Bruno Henrique took a chance from outside the box; the ball bounced and forced the goalkeeper to palm it away for a corner. 

Grêmio gradually stepped up their defense, making it difficult for the Red-Blacks to get the ball out. In the 21st minute, after a free kick in the box, Fabrício Bruno grabbed the rebound with a first-time effort, but Gabriel Grando made a good save. 

In the 32nd minute, Mengão opened the scoring at the Arena. Wesley passed to Bruno Henrique on the left, and the number 27 served Gabigol in the box, who finished into the net: 1-0.

The Mais Querido (the most beloved team) was awarded a penalty in the 36th minute. Gabi took the penalty, but the goalkeeper saved it. In a lively first half, the red-and-black team went into the break with the advantage. 

At the start of the second half, the game became more tense, with fouls being committed by both sides. In the 14th minute, Kannemann committed a hard foul on Everton Ribeiro, receiving a second yellow card and being sent off. 

In the 23rd minute, Mengão extended their lead to a celebratory victory for the hometown crowd. Arrascaeta passed to Thiago Maia, who fired a well-placed shot, deflecting off the defense and gently into the net: 2-0.

In the final stretch, the red-black team valued possession, managed the result and gained a good advantage for the return game, at Maracanã. 

Next appointment

Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Saturday (29) to face Atlético-MG, at 21 pm, at Independência, for the 17th round of the Brasileirão. 

Flamengo

Matheus Cunha; Wesley (Varela), Fabricio Bruno, Leo Pereira and Filipe Luis; Thiago Maia, Victor Hugo and Everton Ribeiro (Luis Araújo); Arrascaeta (Cebolinha), Bruno Henrique (Allan) and Gabi (Pedro).
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli. 

Grêmio

Gabriel Grando; Bruno Uvini (Ferreirinha), Bruno Alves, Kannemann; João Pedro, Villasanti, Carballo (Zinho), Bitello (Nathan), Cristaldo (Gustavo Martins) and Reinaldo; Luis Suárez. 
Coach: Renato Gaucho. 

Technical sheet

Grêmio 0x2 Flamengo – First leg of the Copa do Brasil Semifinals

Location: Grêmio Arena – Porto Alegre
Date and time: 26/07/2023 at 21:30 pm
Refereeing: Raphael Claus (FIFA/SP), Bruno Boschilia (FIFA/PR) and Guilherme Dias Camilo (FIFA/MG)
Yellow cards: Bruno Uvini (GRE), Léo Pereira (FLA), Wesley (FLA), Kannemann (GRE), Ferreirinha (GRE), Reinaldo (GRE) and Allan (FLA)
Red card: Kannemann (GRE)
Goals: Gabi (32'1°T) and Thiago Maia (23'2°T).

It's Flamengo! ⚫

THE GOALS OF FLAMENGO'S VICTORY OVER GRÊMIO DIRECTLY FROM THE ARENA! #Let's Flamengo

⚽⚽: @gabigol e @tmaia29 pic.twitter.com/gzR93oMF1r

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) July 27, 2023