Flamengo into last four of Guanabara Cup after win over Madureira | OneFootball

Goals from Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa and Pedro were enough to lift Flamengo to a 2-0 win over Madureira and see them into the semi-finals of the Guanabara Cup.

It was an emotional occasion at the Maracanã, as the home fans paid tribute to the memory of 10 youth team players who lost their lives in a training ground fire this day last year.

The hosts dominated the game for long periods, but they had to wait until the second half to make that superiority count.

Gabigol went close with a free header in the 20th minute, after which Madureira became more compact and difficult to break down.

Flamengo enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but struggled to overcome the visitors’ low block.

Debutant Leo Pereira had the ball in the Madureira net in the 57th minute, but his joy was short-lived as the goal was disallowed.

The breakthrough finally came four minutes later when an attack down the right flank produced a cross for Bruno Henrique. His acrobatic effort to score proved unsuccessful, but the ball dropped kindly for Gabigol who side-footed home from six yards.

Flamengo picked their moments to try and nab a second goal, with Diego and Henrique both testing Madureira goalkeeper Douglas.

The second finally came three minutes into added time, Pedro latching on to a poor first touch from Diego to sweep the ball home.

Jorge Jesus’ charges will now face either Fluminense or Volta Redonda in the semi-final on Wednesday.