In the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, Flamengo thrashed Grêmio 4-0 on Wednesday night (25), at Arena do Grêmio-RS. The goals for the Mais Querido were scored by Bruno Viana, Michael, Rodinei and Vitinho. With the result, Mengão gained a great advantage for the second leg and will have a three-goal advantage to guarantee direct qualification for the semifinals of the competition.

The game
The match started evenly, with both teams intensely competing for possession. Grêmio had the first significant scoring opportunity. Alisson exchanged passes with Borja and fired a shot with his toe. The ball flew just wide of Diego Alves's post.

The first 20 minutes were quite tense in midfield, with few chances created in attack. In the 34th minute, Arrascaeta received the ball from Filipe Luís and took a shot from outside the box, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. Late in the first half, Isla received a second yellow card and was sent off. The teams went into halftime with the score 0-0.

Just three minutes into the second half, Michael fired a powerful shot, forcing Chapecó to make a save. Seven minutes in, Mengão opened the scoring! After a corner, Bruno Viana controlled the ball inside the box and shot toward goal. The ball deflected off Rafinha before going in: 1-0.

Even down ten men, the red-and-black team never relinquished its attack and continued to try attacking plays. In the 29th minute, Michael delivered a sweet pass to Everton Ribeiro, who was in excellent position, but his shot went wide of the right post. In the 39th minute, Mengão extended their lead! Michael received a great pass from Vitinho, was face to face with the goal, and unleashed a powerful shot to score Flamengo's second goal: 2-0.

Minutes later, Flamengo scored the third! Vitinho delivered a perfect cross for Rodinei to head in behind Rafinha: 3-0. And there was still time for a fourth, in the last minute of stoppage time! After a VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty to Michael. Vitinho stepped up to take the shot and converted: 4-0. Flamengo left the field with a resounding rout at the Arena and a significant advantage heading into the return leg.  

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Saturday (28) to face Santos, at 19 pm, at Vila Belmiro, for the 18th round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo lineup
Diego Alves; Isla, Gustavo Henrique, Bruno Viana and Filipe Luis; Willian Arão, Diego (Matheuzinho), Everton Ribeiro (Vitinho) and Arrascaeta (Thiago Maia); Bruno Henrique (Michael) and Gabi.
Coach: Renato Gaucho.

Gremio lineup
Gabriel Chapecó; Vanderson, Rodrigues, Kannemann and Rafinha; Thiago Santos (Diego Souza), Lucas Silva (Campaz), Villasanti and Alisson (Luiz Fernando); Douglas Costa (Ferreira) and Borja.
Coach: Felipão.

Technical sheet
Grêmio 0x4 Flamengo – First leg of the Copa do Brasil Quarterfinals
Location: Grêmio Arena, Porto Alegre-RS
Date: 25 / 08 / 2021
Referee: Vinicius Gonçalves Dias Araujo (SP)
Assistants: Daniel Paulo Ziolli (SP) and Evandro de Melo Lima (SP)
Yellow cards: Isla (FLA), Lucas Silva (GRE), Diego (FLA), Ferreira (GRE) and Gabi (FLA)
Red card: Isla (FLA) and Vanderson (GRE)
Goals: Bruno Viana (7'2nd half), Michael (39'2nd half), Rodinei (45'2nd half), and Vitinho (51'2nd half).