The Chilean midfielder Erick Pulgar delivered a strike from distance after a feed from Giorgian De Arrascaeta, sending the ball into the corner past Léo Jardim. This was Pulgar’s first goal in 27 appearances for Flamengo, marking a milestone in a campaign that has showcased his resilience and influence in the midfield.
Pulgar, a 29-year-old born in Antofagasta, Chile, began a second spell with Flamengo when he arrived in July 2022. The arrival of Jorge Sampaoli to Flamengo’s technical staff elevated his role, and the former Fiorentina man became a central figure for the team. In the Clássico dos Milhões against Vasco da Gama, the Chilean international answered the trust placed in him with a spectacular goal in the first half. On the 13th minute, Pulgar found space outside the penalty area, unleashed a right-footed drive, and watched it land in the far corner—unsavable for Léo Jardim. This goal not only ended a long scoring drought for the squad member but also helped Flamengo secure a crucial result in the league while building momentum for the Libertadores matchups ahead.
This strike arrived at a moment when Flamengo was navigating the pressure of the Copa Libertadores and the early rounds of continental qualification. The victory over Vasco provided a confident platform as the team prepared for the tie with Racing Clube for a spot in the knockout stages, and it aligned with the broader calendar where La Roja’s players were set to feature in friendlies and qualifiers in the countdown to the 2026 World Cup era, including fixtures against Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Bolivia as part of the Chile national team program.
At GOAL we show you the numbers of Erick Pulgar against Vasco:
Where did Erick move to?
The balls touched by Pulgar:
Those born in Antofagasta, in numbers:
Source: Goal