With two goals from Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Flamengo beat Cruz Azul from Mexico 2-1 this Wednesday (10) in their debut in the Intercontinental Cup, the former Club World Cup, and advanced to the semi-finals against Pyramids, from Egypt.
The winner of the match between the champion of the Libertadores and the African Champions League, scheduled for next Saturday (13), will face PSG (Paris Saint-Germain), current European champion, on the 17th.
In the game against Cruz Azul, played in an empty Ahmad bin Ali stadium, in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Filipe Luís’ team started putting pressure on the Mexican team from the defense field, but had difficulty creating dangerous plays.
Flamengo’s goal, at 14, ended up coming from a gross error made by defender Piovi, who received the ball from the goalkeeper on the left flank and tried to change the game, but ended up delivering it to Arrascaeta’s feet inside the area. The Uruguayan, voted the best player in the Brazilian Championship in a CBF award, also dribbled past goalkeeper Gudiño to open the scoring.
Cruz Azul started to put more pressure on Flamengo until reaching a draw at 43, two minutes after having a goal disallowed for offside. Carrascal tried to clear it inside the area, with the ball left for Sánchez to hit hard in the right corner.
In the second half, both teams had good moments, but without being able to pose any great danger.
Until, at 26, Everton Cebolinha, who had come on to replace a faded Carrascal, made a good pass that found Arrascaeta at the edge of the penalty area. The Uruguayan tried to pass to Bruno Henrique, but the pass was intercepted by the defense. On the rebound, the ball returned to Arrascaeta himself, who hit the cover to score Flamengo’s second of the game. Defender Piovo still tried to get it out of the goal, but the ball had already crossed the line.
On Saturday, also at the Ahmad bin Ali stadium, Flamengo will face Pyramids, who have already played two matches in the tournament. The African Champions League champion left Auckland City, from New Zealand, representing Oceania, and Al Ahli, from Saudi Arabia, Asian champion, on the way.
Flamengo is looking to return to the Intercontinental final after being eliminated in the semifinals in 2022. On that occasion, the team fell to Saudi Al Hilal, beating Al Ahly, from Egypt, in the third place dispute.
In 2019, the Rio club beat Al Hilal in the semi-finals and lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the final, with a goal from Roberto Firmino.
The only title came in 1981, with Zico’s Flamengo winning 3-0 over Liverpool, when the dispute was still a single game, involving only the South American and European champions.
