Flamengo move within one point of Palmeiras with 2-0 win

Flamengo beat Mirassol 2-0 at the Estádio do Maracanã on Wednesday, with J. Carrascal and Lucas Paqueta scoring before half-time. The victory leaves Flamengo second in Serie A on 51 points, one behind leaders Palmeiras, while Mirassol sit 16th on 25 points.

How it happened

Flamengo needed 14 minutes to take control, as J. Carrascal finished from Pedro’s assist. Carrascal then turned provider in the 43rd minute, setting up Lucas Paqueta for a second goal that established the 2-0 interval score. Flamengo finished with 14 total shots to Mirassol’s eight and put four efforts on target.

The numbers

Flamengo’s 56% possession and 634 passes, compared with Mirassol’s 44% and 483, reflected the home side’s control. Their 1.75 expected goals were more than three times Mirassol’s 0.49, while 12 of Flamengo’s 14 shots came from inside the box. Mirassol managed five inside-box attempts and two shots on goal.

Who decided it

J. Carrascal shaped the result with a goal, an assist, one shot on target, one key pass and three tackles in 73 minutes. His match rating of 8.7 was the highest of any player, ahead of Lucas Paqueta’s 8.0 after 90 minutes and a goal, while Pedro supplied the opening assist and four key passes.

Why it matters

Flamengo are now 26 points above Mirassol after 25 matches and remain within one point of Palmeiras at the top. Mirassol’s away record remains 1-3-8, with 10 goals scored, 20 conceded and no clean sheets, as their overall record stands at six wins, seven draws and 12 losses.