In the opening of the second half of the Brasileirão, Flamengo maintained its excellent performance at home and beat Atlético-GO 2-0, on Sunday afternoon (28), at Maracanã. Pedro and Arrascaeta scored for Mengão, who retook the lead in the championship with 40 points and one game less.

Now, Mais Querido turns the key and focuses on next Wednesday's match (31) against Palmeiras, in the round of XNUMX of the Copa do Brasil.

The game
The match began with Flamengo passing the ball around, looking for space to break into Atlético-GO's defense, which was tightly closed. The red-and-black team dominated play until the 18th minute, when the Brasileirão's top scorer opened the scoring! After a short corner, Arrascaeta crossed to the near post, Erick Pulgar let the ball through, and Pedro scored his tenth goal of the championship: 1-0.

With the advantage, Mengão continued to attack and narrowly missed out on a second goal in the 22nd minute. Varela crossed into the box, the goalkeeper was out of position, and Ayrton Lucas fired home a first-time shot. The defense made the save. In the 31st minute, another good chance came from the red-and-black team. Luiz Araújo crossed into the box, and Varela headed the ball just wide of the goalkeeper's left post.

Atlético-GO tried to put pressure on late in the first half to try and equalize, but Flamengo held on and went into halftime with the lead. With this partial result, Flamengo regains the lead in the Brasileirão.

In the very first play of the second half, Matheus Cunha made a great save and saved Flamengo from conceding an equalizer. Atlético-GO tightened their defense, making it difficult for Flamengo to get the ball out.

Then, in the 15th minute, Mengão managed to escape the opposing defense and extend their lead with Arrascaeta! Erick made a good play through the middle and passed to Ayrton Lucas, who rolled the ball to the Uruguayan, who adjusted his body and slotted it into the corner for the second. The Red-Black Nation goes wild at Maraca!

With this goal, the number 14 reaches 57 in Brasileiros and becomes the second highest foreign scorer in the history of the competition, behind only Petkovic, with 83.

With a more comfortable lead, coach Tite made several substitutions in the team, even to rest some athletes for the game against Palmeiras, in the Copa do Brasil.

Mengão narrowly missed out on a third late on. Viña delivered a low cross, the ball went past Gabi and into the path of Carlinhos. The striker headed it in, but the goalkeeper made a great save. The match at the Maracanã ended with a victory for Flamengo, who now lead the Brasileirão once again.

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (31) to face Palmeiras, at 20 pm, at Maracanã, in the first leg of the round of XNUMX of the Copa do Brasil.

Flamengo
Matheus Cunha; Varela (Wesley), David Luiz, Leo Ortiz and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Erick, Gerson and Arrascaeta (Gabi); Luiz Araújo, Everton Cebolinha (Matheus Gonçalves) and Pedro (Carlinhos).
Coach: Tite.

Athletic-GO
Pedro Rangel; Roni (Yony González), Adriano Martins, Pedro Henrique and Rodallega; Gonzalo Freitas, Rhaldney (Lucas Kal) and Baralhas (Shaylon); Janderson (Maguinho), Hurtado (Derek) and Luiz Fernando.
Coach: Vagner Mancini.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x0 Atlético-GO – 20th Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date and time: 28/07/2024 at 16:XNUMX am
Audience and income: 61.883 / R$ 3.365.745
Refereeing: Gustavo Ervino Bauermann (SC), Thiaggo Americano Labes (SC) and Alex dos Santos (SC)
Yellow cards: Hurtado (ACG), Erick Pulgar (FLA), Pedro Henrique (ACG), Luiz Araújo (FLA) and Pedro (FLA)
Goals: Pedro (18'1st half) and Arrascaeta (15'2nd half).