Flamengo kicked off their Club World Cup journey with an assured 2-0 triumph over Esperance de Tunis in their opening Group D fixture, held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday.
Goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo secured the win for the Brazilian giants.
Despite the chilly conditions and a less-than-full stadium, Flamengo asserted dominance from the outset, restricting the Tunisian champions to just two shots throughout the encounter.
The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Guillermo Varela surged down the right flank and whipped in a pinpoint cross.
Luiz Araujo cushioned the ball neatly into the path of Arrascaeta, who smashed it into the net to give Flamengo an early lead.
Esperance found it difficult to settle into the game as Flamengo controlled possession, holding a staggering 80% of the ball.
However, the Tunisian side showed brief signs of resurgence after the interval, with Youcef Belaili emerging as a bright spark.
Belaili curled an effort narrowly wide in the 63rd minute, before forcing a quick reaction save from Flamengo shot-stopper Augustin Rossi just five minutes later with a close-range attempt.
But Flamengo quickly regained their rhythm, quelling the energy of the Tunisian supporters gathered behind the south goal. Their second goal arrived in the 70th minute courtesy of Araujo, who finished off a sharp attacking move.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal man Jorginho threaded a perfect through ball that sliced through the Esperance backline.
Araujo timed his run expertly to beat the offside trap, then cut inside and guided a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
With the result, Flamengo sit level on points with Chelsea atop Group D. The London club earlier recorded a 2-0 win over LAFC.
The two sides will face off on Friday in a highly anticipated clash that is expected to decide the group winner.
