Flamengo hit by São Paulo comeback, trail in final bid | OneFootball

Flamengo lost 3-1 to São Paulo this Saturday (12)

In the first leg of the Brasileirão Feminino semifinals, Flamengo lost 3-1 to São Paulo, after coming from ahead, this Saturday (12). With the result at Estádio Luso-Brasileiro, in Rio de Janeiro, the Rio club now trails in the race for a place in the national competition’s final.

After a scoreless first half, Flamengo opened the scoring right at the start of the second half. From a free-kick by Fabi Simões, Layza Cavalcanti won the aerial duel and Mariana headed the ball into the back of the net.

However, the Rio side’s performance dropped, ‘physically fell apart’ and they were turned around. First, Mylena scored and then Robinha put São Paulo ahead on the scoreboard. In the final play of the match, after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, and Bruna Calderan extended the lead.

WHEN IS THE SECOND LEG?

Flamengo and São Paulo will face each other again next Saturday (19), at Estádio Brinco de Ouro da Princesa, in Campinas. Because of the first-leg defeat, the Rubro-Negro side will need to win by three goals if they want to advance to the final. A tie on aggregate will send the decision to penalties.

Whoever goes through will face the winner of Corinthians vs. Bahia. The teams meet on Tuesday (15), at Fonte Nova. Then they face off again on September 21, at Neo Química Arena.

HOW DID FLAMENGO AND SÃO PAULO REACH THE SEMIFINAL?

Fifth place in the qualification stage, Flamengo came into the semifinal on a high after eliminating Ferroviária in the quarterfinals in a thrilling tie. After winning the first leg 1-0 at home, Mengão held on for a 2-2 draw in Araraquara, even with one player less for practically almost the entire second half.

On the other hand, São Paulo came into the clash against Flamengo as the overwhelming title favorite. Finishing first in the qualification stage, the Morumbi side got past Grêmio in the quarterfinals with a scoreless draw in Rio Grande do Sul and a 2-0 win at Estádio Brinco de Ouro da Princesa, in Campinas.

FLAMENGO’S UNBEATEN RUN IS OVER

With the defeat in the semifinal first leg, Flamengo’s run of six consecutive matches without a loss came to an end. Meanwhile, the Tricolor side reached ten matches unbeaten in the competition.

HOW MANY BRASILEIRÃO TITLES DOES FLAMENGO HAVE?

The Girls from Gávea are fighting for a second national title. That is because the club’s first and only Rubro-Negro title so far came in 2016 against Rio Preto. As a result, Mengão is still the only Brazilian women’s champion from outside the state of São Paulo.

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