Flamengo Conquers Tense Victory After Second-Half Scare
Flamengo exploded onto the pitch in the first half, thrilling fans with a dominant 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Léo Ortiz and a brace from Michael. Hopes of a historic rout were dashed, however, as Internacional fought back in the second half, ultimately closing the gap to 3-2.
Despite the nail-biting finish, defender Léo Ortiz remained positive, acknowledging the team’s initial burst of energy while attributing the second-half struggles to the physical demands of a long and grueling season.
“We knew it would be a close game,” Ortiz said. “We started very well, at a very high pace. It’s difficult to maintain that pace throughout the entire game. We tried. We started the second half well, creating some opportunities, but we lost our way a bit there, and they found a goal.”
Ortiz further elaborated, stating, “Inter started to get into the game, they were 3-2 down, but in the end we managed to sustain things well, creating more chances at the end. The team felt a little tired at the end of the season, due to the pace we set in the first half, but the important thing is the victory here at home. Now there are two more games to finish with a flourish.”
While Flamengo controlled the early stages of the match, Internacional’s resurgence in the second half forced manager Filipe Luís to reconsider his tactics.
Despite sensing the need for fresh legs, Luís remained conservative with his substitutions, waiting until nearly the 30-minute mark before bringing on Alcaraz for De La Cruz. As the final whistle neared, Fabrício Bruno, Gabigol, and Varela replaced Léo Pereira, Bruno Henrique, and Plata, injecting bursts of energy into the waning Flamengo attack.
Even with these substitutions, Internacional nearly snatched a draw, narrowly missing multiple scoring opportunities from close range.
What Lies Ahead for Flamengo
The upcoming fixtures offer little time for rest as Flamengo prepare to face Criciúma next Wednesday (04) in Santa Catarina. This penultimate round clash in the Brasileirão pits the high-flying Flamengo against a Criciúma team battling to avoid relegation. Kickoff is set for 8pm Brasília time at the Heriberto Hulse Stadium.
Flamengo will be aiming to close the season with two strong performances, further solidifying their place in the league standings while ensuring their teammate quickly recovers from a challenging injury.
How significant was the win for Flamengo’s overall standing in the league?
## Flamengo Defender Reflects on Tense Victory
**You were up 3-0 at halftime, Flamanego looked unstoppable! What changed in the second half?**
**Ortiz:** “We knew it wouldn’t be easy against Internacional. [[1](https://www.transfermarkt.com/leo-ortiz/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/374136)]We started incredibly strong, full of energy and got those early goals.
But, like I said, it’s a long season. We’ve played a lot of games, and maintaining that pace every single minute is tough. Internacional came out fighting in the second half, and we have to give them credit for that.”
**It was a tense finish, but you guys held on for the win. How important was it to get those three points?**
**Ortiz:** “Every point matters. This league is incredibly competitive; every match is a battle. Getting a win, even a close one, keeps the momentum going. We know we need to improve in the second half, maintain focus, but it was a good result for us.”
