Bruno Henrique stunner sees Flamengo beat Olimpia, stay unbeaten | OneFootball

Flamengo and Olimpia (PAR) faced off this Friday (17) in Brasília

Mid-season break successfully wrapped up! In the final friendly before the Brasileirão resumes, Flamengo came from behind to beat Olimpia 4-2 at Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília. The highlight of this Friday (17) was a stunning goal by Bruno Henrique at the end of the first half, with a rocket into the top corner.

That means Flamengo end the mid-season break unbeaten. In Portugal, they drew with River Plate (ARG) and beat Lausanne Sport (SUI) and Benfica (POR). The latter, in fact, earned them the Algarve Trophy after a 2-1 win.

SO HOW DID THE FIRST HALF GO?

Just one minute in, Olimpia nearly opened the scoring. Rossi tried to clear the ball upfield, but it went straight to Sánchez. Even with the goal empty, the player shot wide from distance. In the third minute, Pedro produced a spectacular play. The number 9 delivered a sensational backheel pass that left Samuel Lino one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper, who made a great save.

The match started at a frantic pace, but unfortunately in a bad way for Flamengo. In the sixth minute, Benítez burst down the right with space and hit a powerful shot. Rossi parried it into the middle of the box, and Delmas tapped into the empty net to open the scoring.

The game remained end-to-end. In the 22nd minute, Olimpia created a good chance after an error in Flamengo’s buildup. At 24’, it was Erick Pulgar’s turn to shoot and draw an “uuuuhhhhh” from the fans who packed Mané Garrincha Stadium on Friday night (17).

One of Flamengo’s standout players in the first half, Pedro got his reward in the 28th minute. The number 9 received a pass from Samuel Lino and unleashed a rocket. Goalkeeper Oliveira helped it along a bit, but nothing could take away the joy of the striker, who celebrated with a bow. All square, 1-1.

Playing as an attacking midfielder, Samuel Lino took the field in ‘waiter mode.’ After assisting Pedro, Samu did it again at 31’. The former Atlético de Madrid (ESP) player laid it off for Lorran, who blasted it from outside the box. Once again, Olimpia’s goalkeeper gave a helping hand, and Flamengo turned the game around.

AND WHAT ABOUT BRUNO HENRIQUE?

More from Samu! In the 35th minute, the attacking midfielder surged forward and slipped it to Bruno Henrique. The club idol struck it with his left foot, but this time Oliveira made the save comfortably. BH was just warming up. In the 45th minute, the number 27 showed how it’s done. The forward received the ball on the left, cut inside, and unleashed a rocket into the top corner. A STUNNER, and 3-1 in the first half.

IN SHORT, HOW DID THE SECOND HALF GO?

Just like in the first half, Olimpia started the second half more aggressively. Three minutes in, Rossi had to make two good saves to prevent a Paraguayan goal. But the net shook in the ninth minute. After a cross from the left, Jhonny tried to chest the ball back to Rossi. However, it fell to Cardozo inside the six-yard box, and he blasted it home to cut the deficit: 3-2.

But Olimpia’s joy didn’t last long once again. Jhonny played a beautiful through ball to Samuel Lino. The night’s provider squared it back, Pedro let it run, and Luiz Araújo, who came on in the second half, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and scored the fourth with his right foot.

Shortly after the goal, the number 7 had to be substituted. After taking a hard foul from an Olimpia player, Luiz Araújo was unable to continue. Saúl came on in his place. In addition, Leonardo Jardim made other changes, and players such as Andrew, Royal, Ayrton Lucas, Jorginho, Rayan Lucas, Joshua, Wallace Yan and Everton Cebolinha were given opportunities.

In the 30th minute, Olimpia launched a blitz and forced Andrew into making two important saves. Flamengo, with a heavily changed team, struggled to control the game in the final minutes. From the starting lineup, only João Victor and Vitão were not substituted.

SO WHEN IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Flamengo return to the field next Wednesday (22) for the 19th round of the Brasileirão. Their opponent will be Chapecoense at Arena Condá, in Chapecó do Sul, Santa Catarina. Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, with full coverage from Coluna do Fla, live from the south of the country.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.