Despite the scare, the locals heated up the fight with Palmeiras for the top of the competition (they reached 68 points)
In a game with a dramatic ending, a confrontation that seemed lost after a three-goal deficit tightened, reducing the score to 3-2, but in the end, suffering another defeat in the Brasileirão. Captained by , the team looked for a reaction when the star left the field. Despite the scare, the locals heated up the fight for the top spot in the competition (they reached 68 points), held on to a hard-fought triumph and left the São Paulo natives in a very complicated situation. Very active in the first stage, Neymar succumbed to the Red and Black superiority in the complementary phase.
The striker was ineffective on the field, disappeared from the match and was unable to make Santos react after conceding the second goal at Maracanã. In the end, he ended up being replaced by Rolheiser in the match and left the field quite uncomfortable. And it was precisely with his absence that Santos was reborn and almost sought a draw.
The negative result not only kept Santos in the relegation zone but also worsened their situation in relation to Vitória. The first team outside the relegation zone, the Bahians added a point in a goalless draw with Botafogo and now have 35 points against 33 for coach Vojvoda’s team.
In the game, Flamengo also missed a penalty. Bruno Henrique was brought down by Willian Arão in the area and, after consulting the VAR, the referee awarded a penalty. Arrascaeta went for the charge, moved Brazão, but hit the post and missed the chance for the third goal.
In front of a packed stadium, the first half was very truncated. The main attraction of the São Paulo team, Neymar, who was spared from the clash with Palmeiras, entered the field with the mission of being the source of offensive inspiration to lead the team to a return with a positive result to escape the uncomfortable relegation zone. And the experienced athlete tried to do his part.
Feeling the weight of responsibility, number 10 tried to also play without the ball. He guided the team, complained a lot to his teammates when the São Paulo team lost the ball and even challenged several referee calls (he ended up being booked by the referee in the initial stage).
On the field, defender Danilo had the task of supporting the star, who acted with freedom to work either as a midfielder or as a surprise element to keep Guilherme company in the Santos attack.
And the team’s best chance came precisely from the Santos star’s conclusion. Igor Vinícius had freedom on the right and crossed. Barreal made the first deflection high and Neymar, also with a header, almost opened the score. Santos had a good first half but failed to withdraw their lines in order to call Flamengo to their field.
The Cariocas, led by Arrascaeta, increased the pressure in search of the first goal and, in a set piece, the score was changed by the hosts. In a corner from the left, Brazão did poorly, the ball was dripping into the area and Léo Pereira, with his left leg, made it 1-0, in the 36th minute.
Determined to define the game, Flamengo made it 2-0 just five minutes into the second half. Arrascaeta made a beautiful throw to Carrascal on the right. Carrascal started at speed, left Willian Arão behind and hit hard to increase the advantage at Maracanã.
With a brilliant second half, the red and black team reached the third thanks to a mistake by Igor Vinícius. He made a mistake in defense, Bruno Henrique got ahead of goalkeeper Brazão and only played it into an empty goal to make it 3-0. Flamengo suffered a blackout and conceded two goals in two minutes with Gabriel Bontempo and Lautaro Díaz, but held on to the result and secured the victory.
Technical sheet:
FLAMENGO 3 X 2 SANTOS
FLAMENGO – Rossi; Varella, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Pulgar, De La Cruz (Saul), Arrascaeta (Michael) and Carrascal (Luiz Araújo) Samuel Lino (Cebolinha) and Bruno Henrique Coach: Filipe Luís.
SANTOS – Coat of arms; Igor Vinícius, Luan Peres (Gabriel Bontempo), Zé Ivaldo e Souza; João Schmidt, Willian Arão, Zé Rafael (Thaciano) and Barreal (Lautaro Díaz); Guilherme (Robinho Jr) and Neymar (Rolheiser). Coach: Juan Vojvoda.
GOALS – Léo Pereira, 36 minutes into the first half. Carrascal, at 5, Bruno Henrique at 35 and Gabriel Bontempo at 43 and Lautaro Díaz at 45 minutes of the second half.
YELLOW CARDS – Samuel Lino (Flamengo); Neymar and Zé Ivaldo (Santos).
REFEREE – Sávio Pereira Sampaio (DF).
INCOME – R$5,118, 212, 50.
Audience – 69,612 fans
LOCATION – Maracanã Stadium, in Rio (RJ).
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
