Vinicius Jr nets brace as Flamengo go top of Brazil's Serie A
Xinhua,April 30, 2018 Adjust font size:
RIO DE JANEIRO, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid-bound teenager Vinicius Junior scored a brace as Flamengo rose to the top of the Brazilian Serie A standings with a 3-0 victory over Ceara on Sunday.
The 17-year-old gave the visitors the lead just before halftime, latching onto a Gustavo Cuella through ball and dinking a shot over goalkeeper Everson.
He netted again by sliding in at the far post after a Rodinei cross from the right flank early in the second half.
Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Diego completed the rout with a diving header after Lucas Paqueta nodded into his path from a corner.
The result at the Castelao stadium in Brazil's northeastern city of Fortaleza gave Flamengo a one-point lead over reigning champions Corinthians at the top of the 20-team standings.
Vinicius became the most expensive teenage footballer ever last May when Real Madrid agreed to sign him for 45 million euros.
The transfer is slated to take place in July, though Flamengo are reportedly negotiating with the reigning Spanish and European champions to keep the 17-year-old until 2019.
A year after his professional debut, Vinicius has made 55 first-team appearances for the Rio club and scored 12 goals. Enditem