Flamengo thrash Mirassol 5-1 to tighten title race and edge goal difference | OneFootball

Flamengo thrashed Mirassol 5-1 on Sunday 16, closing right up on leaders Palmeiras and holding a superior goal difference despite having played one game fewer.

After 22 games, Flamengo have scored 44 and conceded 19 for a goal difference of 25. Palmeiras have 40 for and 19 against, a total difference of 21. According to Coluna Do Fla, if clubs are level on points the official tie-breakers are, in order, most victories then goal difference.

Flamengo still have a postponed league game, also against Mirassol from round 4, with no date set. That leaves Leonardo Jardim’s side relying on their own results to reach top spot.

There is also a head-to-head with Palmeiras to come in the second half of the season. At present Flamengo have 45 points from 22 matches, Palmeiras 48 from 23.

In round 23, Palmeiras lost 3-2 to Fluminense at the Maracanã, opening the door for Flamengo to trim the gap after dismantling Mirassol.

Flamengo now switch focus to the Copa Libertadores, hosting Cruzeiro in the last-16 second leg on Wednesday 19 at the Maracanã, kick-off 21:30 Brasília time. The first leg finished 1-1, so if it ends level again the tie will be settled on penalties.

They return to league action on Saturday 22 at the Mineirão against Cruzeiro, with kick-off at 20:30 Brasília time.

The Libertadores match will be shown on Rede Globo free-to-air and on Paramount+ via streaming.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”