With the main team's debut in the Cariocão, Flamengo beat Volta Redonda 2-0 on Saturday afternoon (25), at the Mané Garrincha stadium, in the fifth round of the competition. Michael and Plata scored for Mengão, who are now in third place with seven points. 

The game
Flamengo started the match with a strong offensive presence, pushing Volta Redonda back into their own half. Ten minutes in, the red-and-black team created a great play. Bruno Henrique played a one-two with Plata, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but shot wide. It was Mengão's first real chance at goal. 

Six minutes later, Mais Querido (the most beloved team) came close to creating a dangerous opportunity. Wesley crossed to the far post, and Michael headed wide. In the 26th minute, De La Cruz took a free kick from the edge of the box and the ball hit the post. Michael grabbed the rebound, but the ball ended up going out for a throw-in. 

In the final minutes of the first half, Flamengo continued to dominate possession, exchanging passes back and forth. After persistently pushing, Mengão opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. Michael played a through ball to Plata, but the goalkeeper cleared it. Michael fired a rebound into the corner to make it 1-0. The game ended at Mané Garrincha with the red-and-blacks in the lead. 

In the first minute of the second half, Flamengo doubled their lead. Plata received the ball in midfield and fired a left-footed shot into the goalkeeper's right corner. A beautiful goal in Brasília: 2-0. After extending their lead, Volta Redonda began to come out more and created danger in the 17th minute, forcing Rossi into a great save. 

As the match progressed, the red-and-black team regained possession and exchanged passes in Volta Redonda's half. In the 34th minute, Arrascaeta found a beautiful pass to debutant Juninho, who flicked it past the goalkeeper, but the ball went wide. 

In the final minutes, Flamengo still had opportunities to extend their lead, but the match ended 2-0 to the red-and-black team. With the victory, Mengão provisionally moved into third place in the championship with seven points. 

Week's agenda
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Thursday (30) to face Sampaio Corrêa, at 21:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the sixth round of the Campeonato Carioca. 

Flamengo
Rossi; Wesley (Varela), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro (Ayrton Lucas); Erick Pulgar, De La Cruz (Arrascaeta) and Gerson; Plata, Michael (Allan) and Bruno Henrique (Juninho)./
Coach: Filipe Luís. 

Volta Redonda
Jean Drosny; Wellington Silva, Gabriel Bahia, Fabricio and Sanchez; Bruno Barra (Luis Cáceres), Pierre (Henrique Silva) and Robinho; Bruno Santos, Marquinhos (PK) and MV (Mirandinha). 
Coach: Rogério Corrêa. 

Technical sheet
Volta Redonda 0x2 Flamengo – 5th Round of the Carioca Championship
Location: Mané Garrincha, Brasília-DF
Date and time: 25/01/2025 at 16:30 am
Arbitration: Alan Trindade da Silva, Hugo Filemon Soares Pinto and Diego Luiz Couto Barcelos
Yellow cards: Bruno Santos (VRE), Léo Pereira (FLA) and Varela (FLA)
Goals: Michael (42'1st half) and Plata (1'1st half).

END OF THE GAME AT MANÉ GARRINCHA! In the fifth round of the Carioca, Mengão beats Volta Redonda 2-0 with goals from Michael and Plata!#CRF #Let's Flamengo pic.twitter.com/MeXNwwqOKp

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 25, 2025

The guy likes to score spectacular goals, okay!? ?? PLATAAAAA! #CRF

? Gilvan de Souza / CRF pic.twitter.com/nbBqH1QZif

- Flamengo (@Flamengo) January 25, 2025