Four second half goals guided Flamengo to a massive comeback victory against Grêmio at the Arena on Thursday night.
Gabriel Barbosa, Arrascaeta, Ribeiro, Isla were all on target as the visitors came from behind to take all three points via a 4-2 score-line. It was a needed result for Fla as they bounced back from the defeat against Athletico-PR last weekend. Diego Souza was on the score sheet for Grêmio but his brace only turned out to be a consolation for Tricolor.
Grêmio were all over their opponents in the first half as they created the better chances and scored through Diego Souza in 40th minute via a wonderful through ball from Alisson.
However, Flamengo returned a different and much better side for the second half. They dominated play from very first minute after the break and were able to draw level in the 57th minute. Everton Ribeiro got to the end of Gabriel Barbosa’s cross and curled his effort past Vanderlei to level matters in the 58th minute. Two minutes later, Gabriel got a goal of his own to complete the comeback and put Fla in the lead.
The home side lost the plot as goals began to come in. Arrascaeta made it 3-1 six minutes later after a series of passes in the Grêmio half and another assist from Gabriel Barbosa.
Diego Souza got his double and pulled one back for Grêmio five minutes before the end of regular time. However, Isla restored the two-goal cushion in extra time right before the final whistle, as the right back combined with Vitinho to score Fla’s fourth goal of the day.
The victory sees Flamengo move up to second place (level on points with São Paulo) and only four points behind leaders Internacional. Grêmio remain in sixth place and must now be worried about their form as they have now gone five league games without a win.
Grêmio will return to the field to face Coritiba on Sunday while Flamengo will visit Sport at Ilha do Retiro on Monday.
