🇧🇷 Buoyant Flamengo continue winning ways at América-MG | OneFootball

Flamengo followed up their midweek Copa do Brasil success with a hard-fought victory over América-MG on Saturday.

Scorers: Everaldo 13′; França 11′, Éverton Soares 25′

Flamengo manager Dorival Júnior opted to rest all 11 players who started in Wednesday’s cup final win (on penalties) over Corinthians.

Despite the wholesale changes it took just over 10 minutes for the Rubro-Negro to open the scoring at the Estádio Raimundo Sampaio, with Marinho’s whipped corner headed firmly by Matheus França and goalkeeper Matheus Cavichioli unable to keep it out.

América-MG equalised in controversial circumstances less than two minutes later when Everaldo Júnior rifled to the roof of the net.

Replays clearly showed that striker Wellington Paulista had been guilty of a hand ball in the build up, but referee Jean Pierre Goncalves Lima bizarrely allowed the the goal to stand after checking the monitor.

The visitors brushed off that disappointment by retaking the lead midway through the half as Éverton Soares’ effort from the edge of the area had too much heat on it as Cavichioli yet again failed to keep the ball out.

After a frantic opening period, the game settled down after the break but both sides continued to create chances.

No further goals were added, however, and the victory keeps Flamengo third in the Brasileirão table and boosts their chances of sealing a top-four spot.