Flamengo expectedly defeated Esperance Tunisia 2:0 in their first match from Group "D" at the Club World Cup, sportal.bg reported.
The Brazilian team was the better team on the field and deservedly reached the three points with goals from Jorgen De Arascaeta in the 17th minute and Luis Araujo in the 71st minute. The Africans also had their flashes, but overall they were unable to particularly trouble their opponent and had to swallow the loss.
Flamengo started the match with Pedro at the top of the attack and behind him Gerson, Luis Araujo and Jorgen De Arascaeta. Eric Pulgar and Jorginho partnered in midfield.
Esperance, on the other hand, came out with Rodrigo Rodriguez as a forward, with Yann Sasse, Shiheb Jebali and Youssef Belaili supporting him in the forward positions. Khalil Guenichi and Onuche Ogbelou were the two defensive midfielders.
Flamengo started the match more aggressively and reached the first better position in the 15th minute, when after a cross from a corner, Leo Ortiz rose and shot with his head, but inaccurately.
On their second opportunity, the Brazilians opened the scoring. In the 17th minute, Varela crossed from the right, Luis Araujo passed to De Arascaeta, who, around the penalty spot, intercepted the ball into the net for 1:0.
In the following minutes, Flamengo continued to be the team that had more possession of the ball, but there were no dangerous attacks on the opponent's goal.
In the 44th minute, a chance opened up for De Arascaeta, after a rebound fell at his feet, he launched a strong shot, which was blocked by a defender.
Esperance's players, on the other hand, mostly defended themselves in the first half and never created anything memorable in front of their opponent's goal, as they did not have a single accurate shot.
The Africans started the second half much more courageously and reached the first goal opportunity in the 48th minute, when Ben Hamida shot from distance, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper.
However, Flamengo quickly recovered and created two chances within seconds. In the 52nd minute, Pedro shot and Beshir Ben Said made a great save to keep his goal. However, the danger did not pass and then De Arascaeta also headed the ball towards the goal, but it was wide of the target.
In the 63rd minute, Esperance organized a dangerous counterattack, which ended with a long-range shot by Belaili that went over the crossbar.
Four minutes later, Belaili was even closer to the goal. He advanced at speed and shot on the ground, with only the brilliant intervention of goalkeeper Agustin Rossi preventing an equalizer.
And just when there were indications that the score could be leveled, the exact opposite happened. In the 71st minute, Jorginho found Luis Araujo in a good position in the penalty area, and he, with a great diagonal shot, left no chance for the goalkeeper for 2:0.
In the 76th minute, Ayrton Lukasz joined from the second position and delivered a great shot from the move, which, however, flew wide of the goal.
Esperance had a chance to reduce the score in the 85th minute, when Belaili again made a trademark breakthrough and shot, but again wide of the goal.
In the end, the victory went to Flamengo, who recorded their first three points and tied with Chelsea at the top of the standings. Esperance currently has zero assets.