The 2022 Carioca Championship semifinals are set. With Vasco’s 3-0 victory over Resende, for the 11th and final round of the Guanabara Cup (equivalent to the first stage of the competition), Cruzmaltino secured third place, with 22 points and will face Flamengo. Botafogo went to Angra dos Reis and drew 2-2 with Audax, being overtaken by Vasco and finishing with 20 points, in fourth place. With that, Glorioso will be the opponent of Fluminense, champion of the Guanabara Cup.
More images of Vascão’s victory over Resende for the last round of the Guanabara Cup! ✅
?: Rafael Ribeiro | #Vasco da Gama pic.twitter.com/VLNchwCks7
— Vasco da Gama (@VascodaGama) March 13, 2022
In São Januário, Vasco had no difficulties against Resende. Before scoring, he had already hit the post in a kick by Zé Gabriel after a corner kick. Figueiredo, on a bicycle, also almost scored. In the 40th minute of the first half, the goal finally came: Bruno Nazário received it close to the entrance of the area and kicked in place, to the right of the goal defended by Gustavo Fraga.
In the second half, the team secured the victory with two more goals one right after the other. At 30, Vitinho received a throw and completed with a header, displacing the opposing goalkeeper. Four minutes later, another throw ended up being blocked by Gustavo Fraga with his head, but he hit his own teammate and the ball was left clean for Vinícius to complete for the empty goal.
Vasco begins to decide a spot in the grand final this Wednesday (16), against Flamengo. The return game will be on Sunday (20). Rubro-Negro, who had a better campaign, play for two equal results. Vasco tries to scare away the bad moment in classics: in this Carioca, they were defeated by the three rivals (Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo).
Botafogo escapes defeat and will play classic Grandpa
Playing at Estádio Jair Toscano, in Angra dos Reis, Botafogo had difficulties against Audax. Alvinegro was behind the score twice, seeking equality on both occasions. Interim coach Lúcio Flávio took to the field a lineup full of young players who have not been starting and the team had problems facing the opponent.
With goals from Breno and Erison, Botafogo draws with Audax in the last game of the Guanabara Cup. #VamosBOTAFOGO pic.twitter.com/lqmZhWfGaU
— Botafogo FR (@Botafogo) March 13, 2022
One of the players still without rhythm was goalkeeper Diego Loureiro, who missed the first goal of Audax. In the 43rd minute, he left the goal badly in a corner kick, did not hold the ball and, after a deflection in Reidson, it was left for Anderson Lessa to complete for the goal.
Botafogo got the tie right at the beginning of the second half. Luiz Fernando, who came on after the break, made a good move from the right. After a hit, the ball stayed with Breno, who touched the exit of goalkeeper Max.
At 31, after a wrong ball out of the white defense, Hugo Sanches took a risk from outside the area and hit the right corner of Diego Loureiro, who did not reach: 2 to 1.
But the visitors left everything the same soon after. The referee awarded a penalty in touch with Tomás Kayck’s hand. Erison charged and equalized, scoring for the sixth time in the championship.
Botafogo and Fluminense define the second place in the final from the 21st (a Monday), as announced by the Football Federation of Rio de Janeiro (Ferj) this Sunday (12). Initially the first game of the semi would take place next Saturday (19), but Tricolor plays Libertadores away from home in the middle of the week and will only arrive in Rio on the 17th. The second confrontation will be on the 27th (Sunday). Like Flamengo, Fluminense plays for two equal results (two draws or a win and a loss for the same goal difference) to advance.
* Updated at 18:57 to add a new date for the first match of the Botafogo X Fluminense semi: on March 21
