Despite having two goals disallowed, Flamengo beat Goiás 3-0 away from home and got their first win after going three consecutive games without a victory. Arrascaeta, Gabigol, and Pedro were on target as Rubro-Negro edge closer to the top of the table with a game in hand.
Flamengo were in total control of the game right from the start as Gabigol got two of his goals cancelled in succession after being flagged offside in the first 22 minutes. The home side had little to play and had no shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Rubro-Negro got their opening goal late in the first half, before the break, through Arrascaeta, who with his man of the match performance put Diego’s pass in the back of the net.
After the break, the visitors resumed their dominance and created better chances than the first half. Tadeu made series of saves to prevent Henrique and Gabigol from scoring and increasing the tally for Fla.
However, in the 63rd minute, both strikers combined together to score the visitors second goal. Henrique got past Pizarro Sanches after the defender slipped, allowing the striker to find Gabriel Barbosa in the middle, who tapped in at close range.
Goiás forced several saves from Flamengo goalkeeper Souza Hugo after going two goals down. But another Pizarro Sanches mistake gifted Flamengo a third goal with the defender’s poor clearance bouncing off substitute Rene to the path of Pedro, who made no mistake in front of goal to make it 3-0 before the final whistle.
Goiás are still in the relegation battle with the loss and they sit six points from safety, behind Fortaleza. They will return to the field on Thursday when they host Ceará.
Flamengo, on the other hand, are in fourth place and five points off leaders São Paulo. They also have a game in hand. They will host Palmeiras in a big clash on Thursday.
