Flamengo's four goals came with less of the ball than they usually keep

Flamengo beat Vasco DA Gama 4-1 at São Januário, with Samuel Lino scoring twice and the visitors converting well above their chances.

Flamengo had 42% of the ball at São Januário, far below the 61.7% they average in away games this season, and still came home with a 4-1 win over Vasco DA Gama. Possession is usually the first figure people reach for, and here it points the wrong way. Flamengo did not need the ball to score, and they did not need it to take the points.

Pedro scored after ten minutes, with Guillermo Varela credited with the assist. Alan Lescano levelled five minutes later, with Brenner credited for the pass that led to it. Pedro scored again just before half-time, and Flamengo led at the break for the first time in the match.

Vasco had 58% of the ball, a little above the 55% they average at home, so in possession terms they had more of the game than usual. Their shooting was close to its usual level, with 15 shots and two on target against an average of 17.8 for home matches. Expected goals, a measure of how good each chance was based on where it was taken from and how it was struck, put Vasco at 1.24 against a home average of 1.33. Flamengo's 1.54 was below their away average of 1.88, but their chances came from better positions, with 11 efforts inside the box to Vasco's 8.

Samuel Lino made the difference after the break. He scored at 53 minutes and again at 85, and all three of his shots were on target, which is part of why his rating of 9.3 is the best in this match report. Flamengo put six of their 14 shots on target in total, a far higher proportion than Vasco managed, and that accuracy turned a modest number of chances into four goals.

Vasco scored one goal, below their usual 1.5 at home, and conceded four, well above their 1.3. Flamengo's four goals were also well clear of their own away average of 2.3. Pedro finished the game with two goals and a rating of 8, while Vasco's most productive attacker in the report was Lescano, whose goal was his only contribution of note on the scoresheet.

Flamengo are top of the table, with 70 points from 32 games. Vasco sit 13th on 38 points from 31. Flamengo have won five and drawn one of their last six away matches, while Vasco's last six at home have brought four wins, a draw and a defeat.

Vasco have now conceded 45 goals in their 31 home matches this season, and they have scored 39 in the same fixtures.

Player of the matchSamuel Lino2 goals9.3

Pedro Guilherme2 goals8.0

Jair1 chance created7.7

Alan Lescano1 goal7.7