Flamengo dominated Gremio throughout the match, boasting superior possession, more passes, and increased shot attempts, but found it difficult to break through due to strong performances from goalkeeper Wéverton and defender Viery.
The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when a beautiful pass found Émerson Royal, who set up Carrascal for the winning goal. Prior to that, Flamengo had already been the better side, controlling the game despite Gremio’s resilient defense. By the 75th minute, Flamengo had completed 525 passes; two minutes before full-time, that number reached 608, along with 17 shots, seven of which were on target.
The round’s biggest controversy will likely be Bruno Fuchs’ disallowed goal in the dying moments of Remo 1-1 Palmeiras. It was a subjective call by the referee, but could have stood, as López did not intentionally handle the ball—recall the goal by Pavard in the 2020 World Cup final, where Lewandowski’s unintentional hand led FIFA to validate accidental handball assists.
Beyond that, Flamengo fully deserved the victory and now sits closer to Palmeiras. With two rounds remaining before their direct clash at Maracanã, the Rio side is four points behind with a game in hand. It won’t be a definitive final, but the upcoming encounter will be a must-watch for any football fan.