Carnival and Maraca combine for Mengão's victory! In a delayed match of the third round of the Carioca, Flamengo beat Volta Redonda 3-0, on Saturday afternoon (10). Gabi, Pedro and Ayrton Lucas scored for the Red-Black Nation's celebration. With the result, the Mais Querido added 15 points and consolidated itself in second place in the championship, following close behind the leader.

The game
The match began with both teams vying for possession and looking to attack. Flamengo's first good run came in the sixth minute. De La Cruz passed to Gabi on the right, who came face-to-face with the goalkeeper but ended up shooting weakly.

Two minutes later, Mengão opened the scoring with Gabigol, who this time made no mistake! Luiz Araújo made a great play on the right and crossed low for the number 10 to finish first time into the net: 1-0.  

After the goal, the Mais Querido (Most Beloved) continued to hold the ball in their attacking half, looking for space to reach Volta Redonda's box. In the 39th minute, the red-and-blacks nearly scored their second goal. The ball fell to Luiz Araújo inside the box, where he cut inside the defense and shot into the corner. The goalkeeper stretched to make the save.

In stoppage time, Bruno Henrique received the ball on the left and unleashed a powerful shot. Paulo Henrique palmed it away for a corner. Shortly after, the referee blew the final whistle for the first half.

At the start of the second half, Mengão came back to press Volta Redonda. Ayrton Lucas played a one-two with Bruno Henrique, entered the box, and shot at the goalkeeper, who put the ball out for a corner. Victor Hugo then shot, but Paulo Henrique saved it well.

During the second half, coach Tite brought on several starters. Among them, Arrascaeta scored the second goal for the red-and-black team in the 31st minute, but the referee called a foul on the Uruguayan.

But soon after, the Uruguayan was the protagonist of the play that led to Mengão's second goal. The number 14 was brought down in the box, and the referee didn't hesitate to award the penalty. Initially, Pedro went for the kick, and Paulo Henrique saved it, but the referee ordered a retake because the goalkeeper had moved forward. The center forward took another shot, this time beating the goalkeeper with class: 2-0.

To round off the match, Ayrton Lucas added the third in stoppage time. Arrascaeta delivered a beautiful pass to the left-back, who broke through to the goalkeeper and fired a low shot into the corner to celebrate the Red-Black Nation this Carnival Saturday!

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Thursday (15) to face Bangu, at 21:30 pm, at Batistão-SE stadium, for the eighth round of Carioca.

Flamengo
Matheus Cunha, Wesley, Fabricio Bruno, David Luiz and Ayrton Lucas; Allan (Erick Pulgar), Victor Hugo (Gerson) and De La Cruz (Arrascaeta); Luiz Araújo (Everton Cebolinha), Bruno Henrique and Gabi (Pedro).
Coach: Tite.

Volta Redonda
Paulo Henrique, Wellington Silva, Augusto, Bruno Barra and Sanchez; Leo Silva (Cristiano), Danrley and Robinho (Julio Cesar); Vinicius Moura (Thiago Alagoano), MV and Italo (Henrique Silva).
Coach: Felipe Loureiro.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 3x0 Volta Redonda – 3rd Round of the Carioca Championship
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date and time: 10/02/2024 at 16:XNUMX PM
Refereeing: Felipe da Silva Gonçalves Paludo, Thiago Henrique Farinha and Diego Luiz Couto Barcelos
Yellow cards: David Luiz (FLA), Sanchez (VRE), Fabrício Bruno (FLA), Erick (FLA)
Goals: Gabi (8'1st half), Pedro (39'2nd half) and Ayrton Lucas (47'2nd half).