Flamengo opens a good lead against São Paulo and is close to the final of the Copa do Brasil

São Paulo even played well against Flamengo, but they did not have the same efficiency as the Carioca team and ended up defeated at Morumbi by 3-1, this Wednesday (24), in the first leg of the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil.

With the goals of João Gomes, Gabigol and Everton Cebolinha at the home of the São Paulo team, the team led by Dorival Junior will have the advantage of power until losing the return game, at Maracanã, by a goal difference that will still advance in the end. The duel in Rio will be on September 14th.

To take the dispute, at least, to penalties, Rogério Ceni’s team needs to win by two goals difference. But to get the spot in normal time, he would have to win by a difference of three.

At home, São Paulo created a good offensive volume, while the Flamenguistas bet more on counterattacks and quick play.

That’s how the visiting team opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when João Gomes scored with a header. In the bid, midfielder Patrick ended up failing to score, allowing the red-black midfielder to finish.

The São Paulo midfielder, however, recovered from the mistake and was the best of the team in the initial stage, with three good finishes, one of them on the crossbar.

On the return of the break, the hosts resumed the pressure in search of an equalizer, but again they were surprised in a counterattack. In the 22nd minute, after recovering the ball in midfield, the team from Rio arrived in the penalty area with Arrascaeta, who crossed from the left. Everton Ribeiro submitted, Jandrei defended, but Gabigol got the rebound and widened.

In the 34th minute, after much insistence, São Paulo scored, with Rodrigo Nestor. The goal gave the tricolors more hope that it would be possible to reverse the score in Rio. In addition, however, Everton Cebolinha scored Flamengo’s third, closing the score.