In the main squad's debut in the 2023 season, Flamengo beat Portuguesa 4-1 on Sunday night (15), at Maracanã, in the first round of Cariocão. Mengão's goals were scored by Pedro, Gabi, Fabrício Bruno and Thiago Maia. The match also marked the debut of Mister Vitor Pereira in charge of Mais Querido.

The game
Flamengo started the match valuing possession, exchanging passes from foot to foot in the attacking half. In the eighth minute, Vitor Pereira's team created a threat for the first time. Gabi passed to Arrascaeta, who took a shot from the edge of the box. The ball went just wide of the post.

Mengão then opened the scoring at the Maracanã Stadium, delighting the nation! In the 10th minute, Arrascaeta delivered a sweet pass to Ayrton Lucas, wide on the left. The full-back advanced to the byline and crossed into the box for Pedro to chest home: 1-0.

After the goal, Flamengo had sole possession, working patiently from one side to the other. In the 20th minute, Arrascaeta sent a through ball to Varela on the right; the Uruguayan played the ball into the middle of the six-yard box, but no one could finish.

Next, a beautiful triangle between Arrasca, Pedro, and Everton Ribeiro, who received the ball in the box, chipped the ball over the defender, and then chipped it over the goalkeeper. The ball sailed just wide of the crossbar.

In the 38th minute, the Mais Querido extended their lead! Pedro advanced through the middle and passed to Gabigol, who cut back and struck hard with his left foot. The goalkeeper tried to get to the ball, but it ended up going in. Gabi's first goal in the No. 10 jersey: 2-0.

In the 41st minute, Portuguesa pulled one back with Edson Cariús. Ayrton Lucas made a poor clearance in defense, and the striker took advantage to tap the ball past Santos: 2-1. The first half ended with the red-and-blacks in the lead.

Early in the second half, Mengão scored their third! In the 5th minute, Pedro made a beautiful run down the left and sent a low cross into the box. Fabrício Bruno, well positioned, only had to tap it into the net: 3-1.

After the technical break, Vitor Pereira made the first changes to the team, bringing on Matheuzinho, Marinho, and Cebolinha to replace Varela, Everton Ribeiro, and Arrascaeta. The Mais Querido (The Most Beloved) team exchanged passes with ease in the attacking half.

And there was still time for one more! In the 39th minute, Gabi passed to Matheuzinho on the right, who took the ball to the byline and crossed into the middle of the box. Thiago Maia, with style, didn't let the ball drop and fired a first-time shot into the goalkeeper's right corner to seal the victory: 4-1.

The Red-Black Nation celebrated at Maraca in the reunion with the team that won the Libertadores and the 2022 Copa do Brasil.

Flamengo lineup
Santos; Varela (Matheuzinho), Fabricio Bruno, David Luiz and Ayrton Lucas; Thiago Maia, Gerson (Erick), Everton Ribeiro (Marinho) and Arrascaeta (Cebolinha); Gabi and Pedro (Vidal).
Coach: Vitor Pereira.

Portuguesa lineup
João Lopes; Watson, Gerson, Fredson and Yuri; Charles, Vinícius Kiss (Fernandes), João Paulo (Roney) and Anderson Rosa (Lucas Santos); Jean Carlo (Cafu) and Edson Cariús (Gilmar).
Coach: Felipe Surian.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Wednesday (18) to face Madureira, at 19 pm, at the Kleber Andrade stadium, in Cariacica-ES. The confrontation is valid for the second round of Cariocão.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 4x1 Portuguesa – 1st Round of the 2023 Carioca Championship
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 15/01/2023 at 18:XNUMX PM
Arbitration: Alex Gomes Stefano, Luiz Claudio Regazone and Gustavo Mota Correia
Goals: Pedro (10'1st half), Gabi (38'1st half), Edson Cariús (41'1st half), Fabrício Bruno (5'2nd half) and Thiago Maia (39'2nd half).

END OF THE GAME AT MARACA! Mengão thrashes Portuguesa 4-1 in the Carioca Championship, with goals from Pedro, Gabigol, Fabrício Bruno and Thiago Maia! Beautiful thing, Nation! #CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/N0EIUrajH9

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 15, 2023