Flamengo delivered a composed and commanding performance in Philadelphia on Monday night, easing past Esperance Sportive de Tunis 2-0 to kick-start their Club World Cup campaign with a statement win in Group D.
From the outset, the Brazilian giants looked a class above. Controlling possession and dictating the tempo, Flamengo pinned Esperance deep in their own half and rarely let them breathe. The dominance paid off early.
In the 17th minute, Guillermo Varela burst down the right and whipped in a precise cross. Luiz Araújo expertly cushioned it into the path of Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who rifled home to give Flamengo a deserved lead. The small crowd inside Lincoln Financial Field erupted, though the stands were notably half-empty.
With 80% possession, Flamengo barely let their Tunisian opponents touch the ball in the first half. Esperance’s only glimpses of hope came after the break, when Youcef Belaïli came alive. The Algerian winger bent one effort narrowly wide before forcing a strong save from Agustín Rossi minutes later.
But just as Esperance threatened to shift the momentum, Flamengo slammed the door shut. In the 70th minute, Jorginho now pulling strings in midfield threaded a brilliant ball through to Araújo. The winger sliced inside and bent a left-footed finish into the far corner, putting the match beyond reach.
The second goal quieted the vocal Tunisian fans clustered behind the south goal, who had tried all match to lift their team. Flamengo’s experience and quality ultimately proved too much.
The result puts them level with Chelsea atop Group D after the Blues beat LAFC 2-0 earlier in the day. Friday’s Flamengo-Chelsea clash is now a tantalising top-of-the-table decider.
