Flamengo repeated, this Sunday (20) at the Maracanã stadium, the score of the first game against Vasco in the semifinal and guaranteed a spot for the decision of the Carioca Championship to try the unprecedented fourth state championship. With a goal from Willian Arão in the 8th minute of the second half, Rubro-Negro now awaits the winner of the clash between Fluminense and Botafogo, who will face off in the other semifinal starting this Monday (21).
FINMMMMMMMMMM GAME IN MARACANÃ! The Most Beloved beats Vasco 1-0 with a goal from Willian Arão and qualifies for the Carioca Championship final! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! #CRF #VamosFlamengo pic.twitter.com/Lp5KGNVxk6
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 20, 2022
Needing a victory by two goals difference to reach the final, Vasco started the match with a different posture from the first confrontation of the semifinal. Zé Ricardo’s team was trying to hold the ball in the attacking field and even had the first big chance of the game. At 23 minutes, after a red-black error, the ball stayed with Figueiredo, who took off a good throw for Nenê. The shirt 10 advanced on the left and hit hard, crossing, forcing the goalkeeper Hugo Souza to make a great save, sending it to a corner.
In the next minute Flamengo responded. Pedro received a pass, invaded the area and released the bomb with his left leg. Thiago Rodrigues saved and, on the rebound, Gabriel Barbosa kicked over defender Anderson Conceição. After the opportunity, Rubro-Negro started to dominate the actions, while Vasco waited for the chance to counterattack.
The game was at a slower pace and another goal opportunity only occurred in the 40th minute of the second half. In another good move down the left, Arrascaeta went to the baseline and played backwards. Gabriel Barbosa appeared alone at the penalty spot, tried to volley, but caught the ball too low and ended up sending it over Thiago Rodrigues’ goal.
Vasco responded and, by very little, did not open the scoring. Nenê managed to dominate at the height of the half-moon, chose the corner and tried to place it in Hugo’s right angle. The ball passed taking paint off the post, but went out.
The second half started like the first, with Vasco trying to advance and arriving in danger. After 2 minutes, Nenê tried with his left leg in Hugo’s corner, who stretched all the way, but did not reach. Lucky for the goalkeeper that the ball went out. In the next attack, a short corner kick was taken to Edimar, who released the bomb with his left leg, in the angle of Hugo, who made a great defense and saved Flamengo.
I love the Nation! ❤️
Wordless! #VamosFlamengo
? Paula Reis / CRF pic.twitter.com/cVjw4FqXaC
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 20, 2022
Rubro-Negro then launched the attack with Pedro, from the right, who kicked in the right corner, but Thiago Rodrigues defended. In the corner kick, the ball is raised in the area and left for Arrascaeta. Shirt 14 played for the middle, Anderson Conceição deflected badly with his head and Willian Arão, without marking, just pushed to the back of the goal to open the score.
Vasco got lost on the field and Flamengo started to create chances to expand. In the 17th minute, Arrascaeta found Gabigol, who entered the area alone, tried to cover Thiago Rodrigues, but finished wide.
Cruzmaltino’s best chance came in the 20th minute, when Nenê took a free-kick from the right, Hugo came out badly, Anderson Conceição headed the post and Quintero finished wide on the rebound. Despite the danger, the assistant had already marked Anderson Conceição offside.
Even with the advantage, Flamengo followed better on the field. At 35 minutes it was Marinho’s turn to dominate at the entrance of the area and hit with his left leg for another defense by Thiago Rodrigues. In stoppage time, the former Santos player had one more chance, and ended up playing out. Final, Flamengo won 1-0.
