Flamengo Thrashes Vasco and Opens a Three-Point Lead in the Brasileirão
The Rubro-Negro won the derby 4-1 at Nilton Santos and has 73 points to Palmeiras's 70, with five rounds to go.
Translated from the Portuguese original by the Panorama newsroom. Read in Portuguese
Summary written by the Panorama newsroom from the sources listed below. Facts are attributed to the original publications.
Flamengo thrashed Vasco 4-1 on Thursday (29) at Estádio Nilton Santos and moved alone into the lead of the Brazilian Championship. The Rio team reaches 73 points, three more than Palmeiras, with five rounds to go, according to Folha.
The result was helped by the goalless draw between Palmeiras and Santos on Wednesday. Pedro opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a header, but Vasco equalized five minutes later through Lescano. Pedro himself scored again on the rebound and put Flamengo back in front.
Vasco coach Pedro Emanuel fielded a mixed side, with five changes, with an eye on the match against Palmeiras. Vasco have 38 points and sit 13th.
In the home stretch, Flamengo face Grêmio and Athletico at home, Palmeiras and Coritiba away and, finally, Chapecoense at home. Palmeiras, coached by Abel Ferreira, play Remo, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Chapecoense and Coritiba.
The São Paulo side faces greater wear, because it is also in the Copa do Brasil semifinal and the Libertadores final. The head-to-head clash between the two leaders could weigh on the title race.