Flamengo vs RB Bragantino

Flamengo beat Bragantino 2-1 at the Maracanã, a result that stretched their cushion at the top of the Brasileirão even though the visitors made the closing stages uncomfortable. The hosts controlled long stretches of the game, but a nervy finish followed as Bragantino pushed hard for an equalizer that never quite arrived. Varela put Flamengo ahead in the 12th minute, and Pedro doubled the lead midway through the second half before leaving the pitch visibly frustrated after being substituted. Bragantino got back into it late on when a driving run and shot from Ignacio Sosa deflected in off Bruno Henrique for an own goal. There were no red cards, though Bragantino goalkeeper Tiago Volpi had to be replaced after a collision, and Flamengo's Ayrton Lucas went off with a muscle injury. The win pushed Flamengo to 60 points, three clear of second-placed Palmeiras, while Bragantino stayed stuck in 10th on 36 points, still without an away win in five tries.