Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira couldn’t contain his delight at scoring at the Maracana Stadium for the first time in a 3-0 win for Flamengo against Athletico Paranaense.
The 25-year-old made a lung-busting run from his own half before latching onto a perfectly weighted Giorgian de Arrascaeta pass and calmly finishing past Aderbar Santos with a first time left-footed effort.
Pereira’s goal on the stroke of half-time was the third for his side and put the three points beyond doubt.
It capped off a great week for the one-time Brazilian international after Flamengo reached the Copa Libertadores final.
An emotional Pereira posted on Instagram after the game and said: “What a team, what a cheer! Scoring a goal at Maracana Stadium is a dream shared by every child in the world who are passionate about football.
“Maracana is a world legend. I have Brazil running through my veins and I’ve always dreamed of this moment. We keep working hard to achieve even more.”
It’s safe to say that Pereira and Flamengo look a match made in heaven and if he can continue his rich vein of form, Pereira could force himself into Tite’s Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Pereira also played a starring role in Flamengo’s opening goal after his shot cannoned off the post but Everton Ribeiro was on hand to bundle the ball into an empty net.
Flamengo’s number 18 finished the game with 89 touches and completed 74 of his attempted 78 passes (95%).
He won one tackle and completed all five of his attempted long balls (SofaScore).
Potential setback
However, a big stumbling block in Pereira’s success could come through a potential six-game ban for allegedly breaching quarantine rules in Brazil.
After Flamengo arranged a deal for the midfielder in the summer transfer window, it has been claimed that Pereira broke Covid-19 protocols upon his return to his homeland.
Brazil’s Superior Sports Court for Football has summoned Pereira to decide whether or not he should face any punishment, with it possible that he could be banned for between one to six games if found guilty of any wrongdoing.
That hearing is due to take place on Friday (8 October).
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