The fight continues. Flamengo defeated Grêmio at Maracanã Stadium on Wednesday night, 2-0, and remained in contention for the 2018 Brazilian Championship title. Palmeiras also won their match in São Paulo and remain ahead with five points. With two rounds remaining, Flamengo needs to win both remaining games and hope for two Palmeiras stumbles to retain the trophy. The goals were scored in the second half by Uribe and Diego. 

Needing a win at any cost, Flamengo dominated the game from the start, leaving Grêmio with only the counterattack. Dangerous, but ineffective, and consistently repelled by the Flamengo defense. Dorival Junior started with Rhodolfo at the back, replacing the rested Leo Duarte, and Diego replacing the suspended Paquetá. The formation pinned the Tricolor Gaúcho to its own half. A familiar pattern of possession, the team's dominance, was absent. The Grêmio fans even kept the ball more. But Flamengo shot more shots overall and ultimately proved more focused, securing the victory. 

The game

The first half was all Flamengo. Constant pressure for 45 minutes, with the only reason the ball didn't go in was stubbornness. One minute in, Diego played a pass to Uribe, who got past Paulo Victor by seconds. Three minutes later, Uribe shot hard, but the ball hit the defense and missed the goal. Flamengo had 62% possession and was playing alone. Everton Ribeiro tried to surprise the Grêmio goalkeeper in the 11th minute, but the ball went over. In the 21st minute, the crowd chanted "goal," but Uribe's header sent the ball crashing against the post. The best chance, however, fell to Renê. Vitinho made a great play and found Cuéllar. The Colombian made an even better play, dribbling past two players and, off balance, passing to Uribe. The forward challenged Paulo Victor, and the ball fell to Renê, who fired over, giving him the clearest scoring chance of the first half. And that was the first 45 minutes. 

The goal that stubbornly eluded the first half came in the opening minute of the second half. After a cross from Everton Ribeiro, Réver headed the ball, and Uribe, like a true center forward, unleashed the explosive shot to open the scoring. The goal ignited the game and the fans. Grêmio could no longer afford to counterattack, and the landscape changed. But Flamengo still posed the greater threat and had the better chances. In the 16th minute, Diego crossed, Réver headed, and Ramiro cleared off the line what would have been the second goal. 

In São Paulo, Palmeiras scored the first goal. Vitinho sent what would have been Flamengo's second wide. Palmeiras extended their lead, and Grêmio closed the gap. Marlos, Jean Lucas, and Berrío came on. But it was César, with a masterful save, and another, from a Geromel header, that saved the goal that would have ended the championship. The best was yet to come. Like a bolt from the blue, Berrío darted down the left and crossed for Diego, unmarked, to score the second and seal the victory. 

With the victory secured, now it's time to rest and prepare for the game against Cruzeiro at Mineirão Stadium at 17 p.m. It's all the way, right down to the last minute.