Gonzalo Plata scored again for Flamengo on Monday night, and his team needed every goal. Flamengo beat Atlético Mineiro 3-2 at the Maracanã in round 32 of the Brasileirão, and the winner only came from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Plata made it 1-1 in the 34th minute. He hit a left-footed ball from the right that went all the way through the Atlético defence and into the net. ESPN logged it as a long-range shot assisted by Guillermo Varela, while Flamengo’s own live feed described it as a cross from their number 19 that no one touched. Either way, it counted, and Primicias also credits the goal to the Ecuadorian.
How the game went
Atlético struck first through Bernard in the 7th minute, set up by another Ecuadorian, Ángelo Preciado. After Plata’s equaliser, Giorgian de Arrascaeta put Flamengo 2-1 up in the 41st minute. Renan Lodi levelled for Atlético in the 59th minute, and the game looked headed for a draw until Jorge Carrascal scored a penalty in the 99th minute (90+9′). Carrascal had come on for Plata in the 69th minute.
The win leaves Flamengo top of the table with 70 points, one ahead of Palmeiras, after 32 games each, according to ESPN. Atlético stay sixth on 50 points, per Primicias. It was also a good response from Flamengo after last Thursday’s Copa Libertadores semifinal exit on penalties against Estudiantes.
The Ecuadorians, by the numbers
| Player | Club | Minutes | Key numbers | FotMob |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzalo Plata | Flamengo | 69′ | Goal 34′, 3 shots, 2 chances created, 2/2 dribbles | 8.3 |
| Ángelo Preciado | Atlético-MG | 63′ | Assist 7′, 6 defensive actions | 7.5 |
| Alan Franco | Atlético-MG | 90′ | 21/23 passes, 9 defensive actions | 6.7 |
| Alan Minda | Atlético-MG | 27′ (on 63′) | Replaced Preciado | 6.3 |
Plata also completed 35 of his 38 passes and had seven touches in the opposition box. According to FotMob, that is four goals and three assists in 20 Brasileirão appearances (12 starts) this season. His previous league goal came against Bahia.
Anthony Valencia was not in Flamengo’s matchday squad.
Follow every match by Plata, Preciado, Franco and Minda on our Players Tracker.
Leave a Reply