Flamengo routs Gremio behind Pedro brace, closing in on back-to-back Brasileirao title

Pedro, again. The forward showed up right when it mattered and, with a brace at the Maracana, put Flamengo a single step away from back-to-back Brasileirao titles. Leonardo Jardim's team beat Gremio 3-1 this Wednesday in matchday 34, stretching a lead that is starting to look all but settled.

Samuel Lino opened the scoring in the 20th minute, pouncing on a rebound after goalkeeper Gabriel Grando parried the first shot. Eight minutes later came the second, a moment of individual brilliance from Carrascal: he drove forward, left two defenders behind him, and teed up Pedro, who finished with class between the keeper's legs. Right before halftime, in the 47th minute, Flamengo struck again: Samuel Lino tried his luck from distance once more, Grando made another save, but the rebound fell perfectly for Pedro in the six-yard box to make it 3-0.

Gremio tried to respond in the second half with attacking substitutions, but struggled badly to create danger against Rossi's goal. It wasn't until the 24th minute of the second half that the visitors found a bit of light: Amuzu curled in a free kick that will be remembered for a while, straight into the top corner, unstoppable for any goalkeeper. A brilliant goal that got one back, but it wasn't enough to change what had already been decided at the Maracana.

Flamengo stretches its lead at the top

With this result, Flamengo reached 76 points and opened a six-point gap over Palmeiras, its closest pursuer. Verdao still has a match to play on the matchday against Remo, and there's no room for error: if it wants to keep dreaming of the title, a win is mandatory.

The strong run in the domestic league is helping Mengao soften the blow of its Copa Libertadores exit at the hands of Estudiantes de La Plata, an elimination that slammed the door shut on any chance of competing for continental glory this season. At least on the domestic front, Jardim's team isn't letting up.

On the other end of the table, it was a nightmare night for Gremio. The loss left them with 37 points, dropped them to 17th place, and sent them back into the relegation zone, a spot they know all too well and are eager to escape as soon as possible. To make matters worse, the stumble came just as bitter rival Internacional continues to pull away, picking up steam in the closing stretch of the tournament.