In a reunion after 26 years, Flamengo becomes champion again in a final against Fluminense.
Fla-Flu hadn't decided the Campeonato Carioca in a two-legged final since 1991, when Maestro Junior lifted the trophy for Flamengo.
By Isabela Abirached - inThis Sunday's Fla-Flu (7), which gave Rubro-Negro its 34th Carioca Championship title, was a reunion that took 26 years to happen. Flamengo and Fluminense once again competed in a state final in two decisive games after the 1991 edition of the competition, when Mais Querido, then champion of the Taça Rio, prevailed over Tricolor, champion of the Taça Guanabara.
The grand final of 1991
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The grand final of 1991
After a 1-1 draw on December 15, 1991, at the Maracanã - with goals from Ézio and Paulo Nunes - Fla and Flu faced each other in the second and decisive game of the final of that Campeonato Carioca on December 19, once again at the Maracanã.
While Flamengo's numerical superiority in the stands was overwhelming, on the field the Rubro-Negro started the match suffocating the Tricolor. But after some missed scoring opportunities, it was Fluminense who opened the scoring with Ézio. Following that, the opponent of the three colors suffered a setback: their number 10 injured himself and was carried off on a stretcher to the locker room. Fla regained control of the derby and quickly equalized, with Uidemar finding the net.
With Flamengo's blitz on the pitch – and the deafening roar of the fans off it – it didn't take long for the Grêmio players to lose their heads: Carlinho Itaberá committed a very hard foul on Junior and was rightly sent off. Flamengo's comeback came shortly after, with another brilliant header from Gaúcho – a local specialty.
As usual, giving his markers a lot of trouble, the Maestro was once again a victim, and another red card was sent to Fluminense. With two extra men, Flamengo relied on a brilliant goal from Zinho to extend the lead to 3-1. Ézio managed to pull one back, but it was Flamengo who sealed the victory beautifully: a combination between the stars Junior and Zinho, and the veteran player finishing off the rout with a 4-2 scoreline. Watch the goals:
While Flamengo's numerical superiority in the stands was overwhelming, on the field the Rubro-Negro started the match suffocating the Tricolor. But after some missed scoring opportunities, it was Fluminense who opened the scoring with Ézio. Following that, the opponent of the three colors suffered a setback: their number 10 injured himself and was carried off on a stretcher to the locker room. Fla regained control of the derby and quickly equalized, with Uidemar finding the net.
With Flamengo's blitz on the pitch – and the deafening roar of the fans off it – it didn't take long for the Grêmio players to lose their heads: Carlinho Itaberá committed a very hard foul on Junior and was rightly sent off. Flamengo's comeback came shortly after, with another brilliant header from Gaúcho – a local specialty.
As usual, giving his markers a lot of trouble, the Maestro was once again a victim, and another red card was sent to Fluminense. With two extra men, Flamengo relied on a brilliant goal from Zinho to extend the lead to 3-1. Ézio managed to pull one back, but it was Flamengo who sealed the victory beautifully: a combination between the stars Junior and Zinho, and the veteran player finishing off the rout with a 4-2 scoreline. Watch the goals:
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