In the first game of the Cariocão final, Flamengo took the lead and beat Fluminense 2-0 on Saturday night (1), at Maracanã. Ayrton Lucas and Pedro scored the goals in the red-black triumph and made the law of the ex valid. With the result, Mengão can even lose by a goal difference in the return match and will be state champion.

The teams will face each other again next Sunday (9), at 18 pm, again at Maraca.

The game
Flamengo started the match by attacking Fluminense and pressuring the Tricolor's attack. Five minutes in, the red-and-black attack made its first good move. Cebolinha charged through the midfield, cut inside, and took a shot from outside the box. The ball sailed just wide of Fábio's right post.

Fluminense came out on top in the 10th minute. Arias found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Santos, who made a great save. The striker sent the rebound over the bar. In the 18th minute, it was Mengão's turn to take a chance. David Luiz unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, forcing Fábio to palm it out for a corner.

The Red-Blacks launched a blitz into the Tricolor's box in the 29th minute. Pedro attempted a cross, but the ball hit Nino's arm. The ball then fell to the number 9 again, who fired a low shot that Fábio saved. In the final minute of the first half, Matheus França was released into the box and took the lead, but Alexsander blocked his shot. The teams went into the break unchanged.

The second half had barely begun when Mengão opened the scoring, much to the delight of the Red-Black Nation! Matheus França delivered a fine pass to Pedro at the edge of the box, who passed it to Cebolinha. The striker spotted Ayrton Lucas arriving unmarked on the left. He received the ball in the box and slotted it into the left corner past Fábio to score the first goal at the Maraca: 1-0. It was Ayrton's fourth goal for the Sacred Mantle in 55 games.

Before the technical break, coach Vitor Pereira made three changes. Matheus França, Cebolinha, and Thiago Maia were replaced by Everton Ribeiro, Gabi, and Vidal, respectively. And the changes paid off!

In the 22nd minute, Mengão extended their lead with a superb attacking move from the red-and-blacks. Ayrton Lucas, having another excellent performance, made a beautiful run down the left, got past his marker, and sent a low cross back. Pedro, with his usual opportunism, finished first time into the net: 2-0.

Shortly after the second goal for the red-and-black team, full-back Samuel Xavier was shown a red card for a hard foul on Ayrton Lucas. Just for our "kiss" on the foul, because he's playing so well! Coach Fernando Diniz was also sent off for arguing with the referee.

With an extra man, Mais Querido knew how to intelligently manage the result and left the field with the victory and a good advantage for the second leg of the final.

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (5) to face Aucas in the Libertadores debut. The match will be played at 19 pm (Brasília time), at the Gonzalo Pozo stadium, in Quito, Ecuador.  

Flamengo lineup
Santos; Varela, Fabricio Bruno, David Luiz, Léo Pereira (Filipe Luis) and Ayrton Lucas; Thiago Maia (Vidal), Gerson (Matheus Gonçalves) and Matheus França (Everton Ribeiro); Everton Cebolinha (Gabi) and Pedro.
Coach: Vitor Pereira.

Fluminense lineup
Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, David Braz and Alexsander; André, Martinelli (Felipe Melo) and Ganso (Guga); Jhon Arias, Keno (Gabriel Pirani) (Vitor Mendes) and Germán Cano.
Coach: Fernando Diniz.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x0 Fluminense – First leg of the Carioca Championship final
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 01/04/2023 at 20:30 pm
Arbitration: Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães, Luiz Claudio Regazone and Michael Correia
Yellow cards: Ganso (FLU), Pedro Rangel (FLU), Thiago Maia (FLA), Léo Pereira (FLA), Ayrton Lucas (FLA) and André (FLU)
Red cards: Samuel Xavier (FLU) and Fernando Diniz (FLU)
Goals: Ayrton Lucas (5'2nd half) and Pedro (22'2nd half).