Lucas Paqueta has nightmare Flamengo debut in cup final days after West Ham exit

Lucas Paqueta made the worst possible start for Flamengo on Sunday, just days after joining the club from West Ham.

The Brazilian departed the Hammers last week in a deal worth £36million after expressing his desire to return home.

He made his first appearance at the weekend, coming off the bench in the Brazilian Super Cup against Corinthians.

But things didn't go the way he would have wanted.

Flamengo were trailing 1-0 when Paqueta was introduced by his ex-Chelsea defender manager Filipe Luis.

Former Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Paulista had given Corinthians the lead with a goal just before the half-hour mark.

Paqueta then entered the pitch with half an hour to go in the Super Cup, hoping to make a difference and save his side.

And he would get the chance to do so right at the death, with a huge opportunity falling at his feet in stoppage time.

In the 93rd minute, a cross into the box fell to the ex-Premier League star, with him taking a soft touch off his thigh first.

That set things up perfectly for Paqueta to smash home with his left foot from right on the six-yard line in the box.

However, his strike was blasted over the bar, leaving his teammates with their hands on their heads and his manager on the floor.

Flamengo were left in disbelief at the miss and they would go on to concede again moments later, as Corinthians wrapped up the Brazilian Super Cup in the final seconds of the game.

Paqueta apologises

Paqueta spoke about his crucial miss post-match after Flamengo failed to win the Brazilian Super Cup at the weekend.

He admitted: “Honestly, I cannot miss a goal like that.

“I understand my responsibility.”

“What I can promise is to work very hard, to find my best physical level again," the 28-year-old then added.

"Because this month we have a final and I intend to help Flamengo conquer this title."

The Brazilian football season has just started, with Paqueta's new side losing their opening game of the season to São Paulo.

Flamengo's rough start

It means they have now lost their first two crucial outings in the campaign, following a title-winning last term.

Manager Luis, who played for Chelsea in 2014/15, completed Brazilian football in just 14 months as a manager.

He won the Brazilian league title last season with Flamengo after already lifting the Copa Libertadores days earlier.

And in just 88 matches as boss, he had claimed last year's Brazilian Super Cup and the Campeonato Carioca too.

But now, Luis faces a task to overturn some poor form at the start of the new season after back-to-back losses.

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