Ex-Sporting prodigy nets for Juventude, Flamengo stay top | OneFootball

Flamengo defeated Juventude 2-0 last Sunday, September 14, in a match for the 23rd round of the Brasileirão. The red and black team featured the former Sporting prospect, Gonzalo Plata, who came off the bench in the 65th minute to contribute to the visiting side.

The Rio de Janeiro team needed a win to respond to Palmeiras’ rout the previous day and took the field determined to bring home all three points. Still in the first half, at the 32nd minute, Filipe Luís’ men managed to take the lead with a cross from Saul Ñiguez and a headed finish by De Arrascaeta.

In the second half, Juventude tried to respond, creating several dangerous chances. The team from Rio Grande do Sul even scored through Taliari, but the play was ruled out for offside. With the outcome undecided until the end, Flamengo’s insurance goal came only in the 87th minute with a header from Emerson Royal. The result was thus sealed at 2-0 for the visitors.

The former Sporting player, Gonzalo Plata – valued at 8 million euros – played 25 minutes in the match, where he was important for Flamengo’s ambitions. The 24-year-old Ecuadorian registered three successful dribbles, nine accurate passes, and won three defensive duels.

With three points secured, Flamengo left Rio Grande do Sul at the top of the Brasileirão table, with 50 points, ahead of Palmeiras with 46 and one game less. Juventude, meanwhile, sits in 18th place, with just 21 points, and is one of the teams in the relegation zone, along with Vitória, Fortaleza, and Sport Recife.

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