RIO DE JANEIRO: Uruguay international midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta netted a brace as reigning champions Flamengo beat Bahia 5-3 in Brazil’s Serie A championship on Wednesday.
Fiorentina loanee Pedro put the visitors ahead in just the second minute by pouncing on an errant pass and sliding home from close range.
He doubled Flamengo’s lead with a low shot that rebounded in off the post before Rodriguinho pegged a goal back for the hosts.
Arrascaeta restored his team’s two-goal advantage with a diving header in heavy rain but Jose Pimentel responded with his side’s second goal just before halftime. Flamengo netted twice in quick succession after the restart: first with a stunning first-time effort from playmaker Everton Ribeiro and then with a cool Arrascaeta finish after a counterattack.
The hosts added their third goal when Daniel Sampaio latched onto Marco Antonio’s pass to slot home in stoppage time. The result lifted Flamengo to fifth in the 20-team standings, five points behind leaders Internacional
At Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic stadium, former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou made his debut for Botafogo but could not inspire the hosts to victory over Coritiba.
The match ended in a goalless draw, despite Botafogo’s 17 shots on goal to Coritiba’s seven.
In other matches on Wednesday, Ceara beat local rivals Fortaleza 1-0, Atletico Goianiense drew 1-1 at Fluminense, Corinthians won 2-1 at Goias and Bragantino drew 1-1 at Athletico Paranaense. – Agencies
