Flamengo took to the field on Wednesday night (24) and beat São Paulo 3-1 at Morumbi stadium in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-finals. João Gomes, Gabi and Everton Cebolinha scored the red-black goals in the match.

With the victory, Mengão will have a one-goal advantage in the second leg to advance to the final of the competition.

The game
Flamengo started the match patiently exchanging passes, trying to create space in São Paulo's defense, which was pressing tightly. Six minutes in, the red-and-black team made their first good breakthrough. Arrascaeta was released on the right, dribbled past Jandrei, and crossed into the middle of the box. Pedro stretched to deflect the ball, but sent it wide.

São Paulo responded quickly with Patrick, who headed firmly, but Santos made a great save. Then, Mengão launched a quick counterattack and opened the scoring! Everton Ribeiro delivered a long cross from the left, and João Gomes appeared inside the box to head the ball stylishly into Jandrei's corner: 0-1.

After the goal, Tricolor Paulista began to threaten more and create attacking chances. The Mais Querido, in turn, showed confidence in defense and neutralized the plays. In the final stretch of the first half, Fla managed to break the rhythm that São Paulo was trying to establish in attack and went into halftime with the advantage.

In the first minute of the second half, Léo Pereira passed to Pedro to lead the counterattack. The striker outpaced him and passed the ball to Gabi, who fired a well-placed shot over the bar. São Paulo continued to attack, putting pressure on the red-and-black team, which struggled to break through.

Then, in the 21st minute, Mengão calmed the nation and scored the second goal! Arrascaeta crossed from the left, Jandrei deflected it, and the ball fell to Everton Ribeiro. The number 7 shot, the goalkeeper tried to clear, but the ball fell clear for Gabigol to tap into the net: 0-2.

In the 33rd minute, São Paulo pulled one back with Rodrigo Nestor, who struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box into Santos' corner. The ball deflected off Vidal before going in: 1-2.

In stoppage time, Mengão scored the third to seal the victory at Morumbi Stadium. Everton Cebolinha received the ball at the edge of the box, turned around his marker, and struck a powerful shot into the goalkeeper's right corner, scoring his first goal for the Sacred Mantle: 1-3.

Next appointment
The Mais Querido returns to play next Sunday (28) and will face the classic against Botafogo, at 18 pm, at Nilton Santos. The game is valid for the 24th round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo lineup
Santos; Rodinei, David Luiz (Fabrício Bruno), Leo Pereira and Filipe Luis; Thiago Maia, João Gomes (Vidal), Everton Ribeiro (Victor Hugo) and Arrascaeta; Gabi (Cebolinha) and Pedro (Lazaro).
Coach: Dorival Junior.

Sao Paulo lineup
Jandrei; Rafinha, Diego Costa and Leo; Igor Vinicius, Pablo Maia (Andrés), Nestor, Igor Gomes (Galoppo), Patrick (Luciano) and Reinaldo (Welington); Calleri.
Coach: Rogério Ceni.  

Technical sheet
São Paulo 1x3 Flamengo – First leg of the Copa do Brasil semifinal
Location: Morumbi-SP
Date and time: 24/08/2022 at 21:30 pm
Referee: Anderson Daronco (RS)
Assistants: Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) and Nailton Junior de Sousa Oliveira (CE)
Yellow card: Everton Cebolinha (FLA)
Goals: João Gomes (11'1st half), Gabi (21'2nd half), Rodrigo Nestor (33'2nd half) and Everton Cebolinha (48'2nd half).