Flamengo thrash Atlético-MG at the Arena, Plata seals 7th straight win | OneFootball

With a first half worthy of the big screen, Flamengo completely outclassed Atlético-MG

Arena MRV, but you can call it Arena EGP (Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata). With a stunning goal from the winger, just like in the 2024 Copa do Brasil final, Flamengo beat Atlético-MG 4-0 this Sunday (26), in the 13th round of the Brasileirão. Pedro (two) and Arrascaeta scored the team’s other goals.

With the result, Flamengo moved up to 26 points and remains in second place. The leader is Palmeiras, with 32, but having played one more match than Brazil’s Most Beloved. Atlético-MG, meanwhile, remains in crisis and is getting closer and closer to the relegation zone.

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

Atlético-MG even tried to heat up the game, backed by the fans, who packed the stadium (a rarity, but you know why). But in Flamengo’s first well-worked move, Brazil’s Most Beloved were already on the scoresheet. Arrascaeta received it on the left and played in Samuel Lino.

After bursting forward at speed, the winger squared a perfect ball for Pedro. With the goalkeeper practically beaten, the number 9 just tapped it into the back of the net. It was the striker’s 14th of the season, one fewer than his entire 2025 tally. Mengão 1-0!

At the 15-minute mark, Flamengo nearly scored a spectacular goal. Pedro produced an extraordinary pass for Arrascaeta, who had open field to sprint into. The number 10 struck dangerously, but Éverson made a great save. On the rebound, Plata could not quite reach it to put it in the net.

Atlético-MG’s first real chance came in the 28th minute. From a powerful shot by full-back Natanael, the ball took a deflection on the way, and Rossi made the save, pushing it behind for a corner. From the set piece, the home side headed it onto the crossbar. The Minas Gerais side even appealed for a goal, but the ball had not crossed the line.

ARENA GONZALO PLATA 2.0?

If you don’t take your chances, you pay for it. On the very next play, Plata received it on the right, surged forward with extreme freedom, cut inside and struck it cleanly. WHAT A GOAL! The man has a golden touch at Arena Gonzalo Plata, oops, Arena MRV. Mengão 2-0! After the goal, fans of the Minas Gerais club began chanting “shameless team” and insulting the club’s SAF management.

When the clock showed 44 minutes, Samuel Lino got the ball in midfield and tried his luck from very far out, catching everyone by surprise. The ball swerved strangely and almost caught Éverson off guard. But the goalkeeper recovered and tipped it out for a corner.

It was all Flamengo! In the 46th minute, the Most Beloved put together a beautiful move down the right, and Plata flicked it with his heel to Varela. Then came the little Uruguayan combination. The full-back crossed onto the head of Arrascaeta, and the number 10 sent it into the back of the net. A ROUT IN BELO HORIZONTE! MENGO 3-0!

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

Atlético-MG went all or nothing in the second half. Right at the start, Vitor Hugo escaped a red card after fouling Samuel Lino as the last man. However, the winger was offside. Afterwards, the Minas Gerais side pushed forward. In shots from Cuello and Victor Hugo, the home team looked threatening.

In the 19th minute, Atlético-MG hit the woodwork again. From a shot by Minda, who came on in the second half, Rossi produced a spectacular save, and the ball kissed the post after the close-range effort.

At the 25-minute mark, Leonardo Jardim began thinking about the next match, against Estudiantes (ARG). The coach took off Samuel Lino and Jorginho and sent on Luiz Araújo and Saúl. Overall, Flamengo took it easy on the pitch, managing the excellent first-half advantage.

Gustavo Scarpa, who came on in the second half, did try with shots from outside the box, but without causing major trouble. And Leonardo Jardim kept giving minutes to the squad. In the 36th minute, Ayrton Lucas and Bruno Henrique came on for Alex Sandro and Arrascaeta.

Flamengo, who had barely attacked in the second half, had their first shot of the half in the 40th minute. And it was a goal. Straight out of a video game. After a slick exchange of passes, Plata laid it off to Luiz Araújo, who found Evertton Araújo. The midfielder simply rolled it to Pedro, who wheeled away in celebration and sealed the rout. In stoppage time, Evertton Araújo also hit the post.

WHEN IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Flamengo return to the pitch for the 14th round of the Brasileirão next Sunday (03), against Vasco, starting at 4:00 p.m. (Brasília time), at the Maracanã. Before that, however, the Rubro-Negro have a Copa Libertadores fixture. On Wednesday (29), Leonardo Jardim’s men face Estudiantes (ARG), in La Plata.

MATCH DETAILS ATLÉTICO-MG 0X4 FLAMENGO Competition: Brasileirão, 13th round Venue: Arena MRV Date: April 26, 2026 Goals: Pedro 7’/1st, 40’/2nd, Gonzalo Plata 30’/1st, Arrascaeta 46’/1st

Atlético-MG: Éverson, Natanael, Tressoldi, Vitor Hugo and Kauã; Maycon, Alan Franco and Victor Hugo; Cuello, Bernard and Cassierra. Head coach: Eduardo Dominguez.

Flamengo: Agustín Rossi, Guillermo Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Evertton Araújo, Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata and Pedro. Head coach: Leonardo Jardim.

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