Place in the final secured! Flamengo took to the field this Sunday afternoon (05), at Maracanã, for the semifinal of the Taça Rio and beat Volta Redonda 2-0. Both goals for the Mais Querido were scored by Bruno Henrique. With the victory, the red-black team qualified for the final and will face Fluminense.

O JOGO
Flamengo started the match by pressing Volta Redonda's attacking play. The first dangerous play for the red-and-black team came in the 16th minute. Everton Ribeiro took a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball went just wide of the post. In the 20th minute, Mengão opened the scoring! Filipe Luís found Gabigol in the box, and the number 9 delivered a beautiful pass to Bruno Henrique, who fired a low shot into the goalkeeper's corner: 1-0.

In the 33rd minute, Flamengo threatened again. Gerson stole the ball in midfield and passed it to Gabigol, who dribbled past Daniel and shot. The ball went wide of Douglas Borges' goal. Late in the first half, Flamengo nearly scored a second. After exchanging passes in midfield, Arrascaeta found Gabigol free at the edge of the box. The striker fired a powerful shot, but the goalkeeper made a good save.

Mengão started the second half on top of Volta Redonda and, in the first minute, created a threat. Gerson received the ball on the right, cut past the defender, and shot. Douglas Borges palmed it away for a corner. Soon after, in the 3rd minute, Mengão extended their lead. In another beautiful team play, Gabigol found Bruno Henrique free. He dribbled past the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net: 2-0.

After the second half, Flamengo continued with the same intensity and created several clear scoring chances, forcing the Voltaço goalkeeper to make some excellent saves. The final score was 2-0 for Flamengo, securing a spot in the final.

AND NOW?
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (08) to face Fluminense in the final of the Taça Rio.  

FLAMENGO LINEUP
Diego Alves, Rafinha, Rodrigo Caio, Leo Pereira, Filipe Luis; Willian Arão (Thiago Maia), Gerson (Diego), Everton Ribeiro (Michael), De Arrascaeta (Vitinho), Bruno Henrique (Pedro); Gabriel Barbosa.