Flamengo won the Brasileirão opener! In the match that marked defender Juan's official retirement from the pitch, Flamengo defeated Cruzeiro 3-1 at the Maracanã. Bruno Henrique (2) and Gabigol scored in the Rubro-Negra victory. Pedro Rocha scored for the Minas Gerais team in the first half. 

In the first half, Flamengo had more possession and initiative on the field. Just two minutes into the match, Willian Arão delivered a beautiful cross from the right. The ball reached Bruno Henrique, who tried to dribble past his defender and shoot, but Fábio held it down. Without many chances and with a well-studied game, Cruzeiro opened the scoring in the 39th minute, with Pedro Rocha scoring after a pass from Fred on a swift counterattack. The Rubro-Negra responded quickly, and the equalizer was secured. A minute later, from a pass into the box, Bruno Henrique rose higher than Fábio and headed the ball over the goalkeeper to level the score: 1-1.

Flamengo came back pressing in the second half. In the third minute, Arrascaeta tried to find Willian Arão, but the midfielder missed the ball by inches to deflect past Fábio. Flamengo's pressure continued, and shortly after, the Uruguayan took a corner kick into the box, Rodrigo Caio headed it, and Gabriel nearly turned the game around for the Mais Querido. In the 3th minute, Everton Ribeiro stole the ball in midfield and made a great pass to Gabriel, who shot wide.

The turnaround came in the 21st minute with a brilliant play! A one-two between Willian Arão and Gabriel saw the striker burst into the box from the right and cross to Bruno Henrique, who simply tapped it in, only to be deflected by the opposing defense to score his and Flamengo's second goal of the game. The game's top scorer continued to torment Cruzeiro's defenders until, in the 39th minute, Murilo received his second yellow card for a foul on number 27. Flamengo extended their lead in the 44th minute. In a lightning-fast counterattack, Gabriel passed the ball to Bruno Henrique on the left, who dribbled past the defender, sent a cross that Fábio saved, and, on the rebound, the number 9 fired into the back of the net, sealing the victory for Mengão.

In the 45th minute, to chants of "Juan," the defender entered the field and officially said goodbye to the field. It was a deeply emotional moment that will forever be etched in the hearts of Rubro-Negro fans.

Flamengo will play against Internacional again on Wednesday, May 1st, at 16 pm, at Beira-Rio, in the second round of the Brazilian Championship.