Long weekend with victory for Mengão! In the penultimate round of Group A of the Libertadores, Flamengo beat Racing-ARG 2-1 this Thursday (8), at Maracanã. Wesley and Victor Hugo scored the goals that put the red-black team in the lead for the round of XNUMX of the continental competition. 

The game

Flamengo began the match against Argentina dominating possession, exchanging passes in their attacking half. Racing, on the other hand, closed up in defense, trying to exploit counterattacks. With Argentina pressing tightly in the middle, the red-and-black team struggled to reach the opponent's box.

The first dangerous play came in the 31st minute. Ayrton Lucas raced down the left, passed to Gerson, who passed to Thiago Maia, who backheeled the ball to Ayrton, who fired a powerful shot. Arias made a good save.

After much persistence, Mengão finally opened the scoring in the 35th minute of the first half. Everton Ribeiro led a counterattack, passed to Gerson, who played a one-two with Arrascaeta and found Wesley in the box, who fired a first-time shot with his left foot to bulge the net at Maraca: 1-0. 

With the score open, Mais Querido reaches its 25th consecutive game with goals in the Libertadores and equals the record of América of Mexico, achieved between 1999 and 2002. Jorge Sampaoli's team dominated the action in the first half and went into the break with the advantage.  

Early in the second half, Racing tied the score with Matías Rojas, who hit a beautiful shot into the far corner of Matheus Cunha's net: 1-1. With the tie, Racing was forced to attack. In the 15th minute, Sampaoli made his first changes to the team. Arrascaeta and Thiago Maia were replaced by Everton Cebolinha and Victor Hugo.

Controlling possession, Flamengo exchanged passes in attack, trying to create space in Racing's defense. In the 37th minute, the relief goal came to blow up the Maracanã! Erick played a one-two with Cebolinha, the Chilean burst into the box, back-heeled the ball to Victor Hugo, who controlled it and sent it into the back of Racing's net: 2-1. 

Game over at the Maracanã! The red-and-black team showed great fighting spirit to secure an important victory that put them on the brink of qualifying for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. 

Next appointment

The Most Beloved will face Grêmio, next Sunday (11), at 18:30 pm, at Maracanã. The game is valid for the tenth round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo

Matheus Cunha; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Ayrton Lucas (Filipe Luis); Thiago Maia (Victor Hugo), Erick and Gerson (Vidal); Everton Ribeiro (Matheus França), Arrascaeta (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli. 

Racing

Arias; Mura, Sigali (Galván), Piovi and Gabriel Rojas; Aníbal Moreno, Jonatan Gómez, Oroz (Avilés) and Matías Rojas (Moralez); Hauche (Guerrero) and Reniero (Rodríguez).
Technician: Fernando Gago. 

Technical sheet

Flamengo 2x1 Racing - 5th Round of Group A of the Libertadores
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 08/06/2023 at 21:XNUMX PM
Referees: Gustavo Tejera (URU), Nicolas Taran (URU) and Martin Soppi (URU)
Yellow card: Aníbal Moreno (RAC)
Goals: Wesley (35'1st half), Matías Rojas (3'2nd half) and Victor Hugo (37'2nd half).

FFFFFFFIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMM TALK AT MARACA! MENGÃO WINS! CRIA VICTORY! THE BOYS FROM NINHO WESLEY AND VICTOR HUGO SHOT THE NET! PUT THREE MORE POINTS IN MENGÃO'S ACCOUNT! GOOO ...#FLAxRAC #VAMOSFLAMENGO pic.twitter.com/OX8mZc3vrz

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) June 9, 2023