In the second game of the Carioca semifinals, Flamengo thrashed Volta Redonda 4-1 on Saturday night (8), at Maracanã. The goals in the red-black victory were scored by Michael, Gabigol (2) and Vitinho. With the result, Mengão qualified for the championship final and awaits the definition of its opponent, which will come from the clash between Fluminense and Portuguesa.

The game
The first half began with Volta Redonda adopting a more attacking approach, managing to maintain possession for longer. Eleven minutes in, Mengão opened the scoring at the Maraca! Gabigol delivered a beautiful pass to Michael, and the number 19 simply beat goalkeeper Andrey: 1-0.

After taking the lead, Flamengo began to hold the ball more, exchanging passes in the opposing half. It didn't take long for Flamengo to extend their lead! In the 20th minute, Pedro beat the defense with a body move and passed to Gabigol. Flamengo's top scorer made a fine individual move, burst into the box, and fired a shot into the corner to make it 2-0.

In the 32nd minute, Matheuzinho reached the byline and crossed to Pedro in the six-yard box. The striker took a shot, but the ball hit the crossbar. Gabigol fired the rebound into the net, but the goalkeeper saved. In the 42nd minute, Mengão scored again through Gabi. The striker played a one-two with Matheuzinho, cleared the play, and fired a powerful shot to score his second goal of the match: 3-0. "Mais Querido" went into halftime with a clear lead.

Flamengo came out swinging in the second half and, just three minutes in, scored their fourth goal. Ramon passed to Vitinho up front, who beat his defender and fired a powerful shot into the net: 4-0. In the 22nd minute, Matheuzinho crossed low from the right and found Pedro, but the striker sent it over the bar.

After the 30th minute, coach Rogério Ceni made changes to his lineup, bringing the youngsters onto the field, giving the squad more experience. In the final minute, Volta Redonda pulled one back with a penalty from João Carlos, making it 4-1.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Tuesday (11) to face Unión La Calera, at 21:30 pm, at the Nicolás Chahuán Nazar Stadium, in Chile. The clash is valid for the fourth round of the group stage of the Libertadores.

Flamengo lineup
Gabriel Batista; Matheuzinho, Gustavo Henrique, Leo Pereira and Ramon; Hugo Moura (Lucas André), Max (João Gomes) and Vitinho (Rodrigo Muniz); Michael (Gabriel Barros), Pedro and Gabi (Everton Ribeiro).
Coach: Rogério Ceni.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 4x1 Volta Redonda – 2021 Carioca Championship
Location: Maracanã
Date: 08 / 05 / 2021
Referee: Felipe da Silva Paludo
Assistants: Diogo Carvalho Silva and Carlos Henrique Alves Filho
Yellow Card: Bruno Barra (VOL), Alef Manga (VOL), Léo Pereira (FLA), Michael (FLA), Matheuzinho (FLA), Wallisson (VOL), Davison (VOL) and João Gomes (FLA)
Goals: Michael (11'1st half), Gabi (20'1st and 42'1st half), Vitinho (3'2nd half) and João Carlos (45'2nd half).