Romário's show secured the 1995 Guanabara Cup title
Baixinho easily won the duel with Túlio and scored three
By Lucas Dantas - Flamengo Communications - in
The best in the world on the pitch and his first decision. It could never have ended in such a common, simple, or forgettable way. Romário had just arrived at Flamengo and was facing Botafogo and more than 50 people at the Maracanã stadium on March 23, 1995.
Newly named FIFA World Player of the Year, Baixinho knew it was a match to remember for the fans. His participation was a mystery all week. Romário had undergone surgery on his elbow and only confirmed his starting lineup the day before the game.
Flamengo took the field with Emerson, Fabinho, Agnaldo, Jorge Luís, and Marcos Adriano; Charles, Marquinhos, Válber, and William; Sávio (Nélio), and Romário. The coach was Wanderley Luxemburgo. On the other side, Botafogo had the core team that would win the Brazilian championship that same year. Vágner, Gottardo, Túlio, Sergio Manoel, Beto... The promise of a great game was fulfilled to the letter.
Just seven minutes in, Romário made his mark. He disrupted Botafogo's defense and earned a penalty, which he himself took, opening the scoring. The nation felt the moment and pushed the team forward, pushing their rivals, who, cornered, only watched Flamengo play. In the 22nd minute, the short man rose higher than everyone else and extended the lead.
Everything was going well. Botafogo's idol, Túlio, was sent off. But incredibly, the opponents grew into the match and tied the game with two goals from Adriano, the second 10 minutes from time. They still had the advantage of a draw due to their better campaign.
The black and whites were still celebrating the equalizer when Marcio Theodoro provided an assist for Romário, and the little one thanked him. It's worth noting that Marcio was a Botafogo player and that he blatantly failed to pass back to Vágner. Romário, a natural goalscorer, made no mistake. Flamengo 3-2, the title secured, and a show from the King of Rio.
Newly named FIFA World Player of the Year, Baixinho knew it was a match to remember for the fans. His participation was a mystery all week. Romário had undergone surgery on his elbow and only confirmed his starting lineup the day before the game.
Flamengo took the field with Emerson, Fabinho, Agnaldo, Jorge Luís, and Marcos Adriano; Charles, Marquinhos, Válber, and William; Sávio (Nélio), and Romário. The coach was Wanderley Luxemburgo. On the other side, Botafogo had the core team that would win the Brazilian championship that same year. Vágner, Gottardo, Túlio, Sergio Manoel, Beto... The promise of a great game was fulfilled to the letter.
Just seven minutes in, Romário made his mark. He disrupted Botafogo's defense and earned a penalty, which he himself took, opening the scoring. The nation felt the moment and pushed the team forward, pushing their rivals, who, cornered, only watched Flamengo play. In the 22nd minute, the short man rose higher than everyone else and extended the lead.
Everything was going well. Botafogo's idol, Túlio, was sent off. But incredibly, the opponents grew into the match and tied the game with two goals from Adriano, the second 10 minutes from time. They still had the advantage of a draw due to their better campaign.
The black and whites were still celebrating the equalizer when Marcio Theodoro provided an assist for Romário, and the little one thanked him. It's worth noting that Marcio was a Botafogo player and that he blatantly failed to pass back to Vágner. Romário, a natural goalscorer, made no mistake. Flamengo 3-2, the title secured, and a show from the King of Rio.