Rubro-Negro must topple Tricolor to push through to the next stage, with the series left open after a blank draw in the previous encounter.
On Thursday, June 1, Flamengo and Fluminense will light up the city as they contest another edition of the Clássico das Multidões. This match forms part of the round of 16 repechage in the Brazil Cup, a knockout competition that hands the winner a berth in the Copa Libertadores and a shot at the Super Cup against the Brasileiro champion.
In the first leg, the Flamengo side coached by Jorge Sampaoli seized a moment to strike first but failed to convert, even after taking control of the run of play following Felipe Melo’s sending off. The Tricolor midfielder was sent off with a direct red card at 52 minutes after a foul on Gabigol, a call upheld by the VAR at the referee’s request. That moment altered the dynamics of the tie and left Flamengo wondering if the numbers favor them as the return leg looms.
Now the defending champions must prevail at Maracanã to secure a place in the next round, where they will defend their crown after a dramatic Olympic-style victory last October over Corinthians, decided by penalties (6-5). The path to the title remains steep, and Flamengo will lean on their home crowd and track record to tilt the match in their favor. The narrative is rich with history and expectation as both clubs push to advance in a competition that has long defined this city’s football identity.
This rivalry carries a long-standing ledger. The two sides have met 444 times, with Flamengo claiming 161 wins to the Tricolor’s 141, and a total of 640 goals scored by Flamengo against 586 by Fluminense. The balance also includes 142 draws, underscoring the close, often dramatic nature of their clashes. Flamengo has four national cups in their cabinet, tied with Palmeiras for the second-most, while Cruzeiro and Grêmio sit ahead with six and five titles respectively. Fluminense, meanwhile, has one national cup to their name, achieved in 2007 when they managed a 2-1 aggregate win over Figueirense of Florianópolis.
Jorge Sampaoli’s tenure in charge of Flamengo continues to shape the team’s approach and results. He has steered the group through pressure-filled matches and emerged with a resolve to maximize every moment on the pitch. The upcoming leg will test the squad’s tactical discipline, emotional stamina, and willingness to take calculated risks when the stakes are highest. The tactical chess game between Sampaoli and his opposite number will be a defining thread of the encounter, one that could tilt the tie in favor of the home team given the atmosphere inside the Maracanã and the quality at Flamengo’s disposal.
Fans in Brazil, and those following the competition from abroad, should note that the second leg will not be broadcast on traditional television or streaming within the country at this time. For international viewers and followers who want up-to-the-minute coverage, live minute-by-minute updates will be available on GOAL’s platform, ensuring fans do not miss the crucial moments as they unfold. In this particular tournament, the rights for Brazil lie with Amazon Prime Video, which will televise the match domestically for Brazilian audiences and may offer supplemental coverage through its service, depending on regional rights. As always, the competition’s drama is best appreciated with a steady stream of live commentary and expert analysis guiding fans through the twists and turns as the tie progresses.
In this heated crucible of Brazilian football, both Flamengo and Fluminense are fighting not just for a place in the quarterfinals but for momentum heading into the rest of the season. The outcome will shape perceptions about each team’s championship potential and their capacity to navigate the demanding schedule that follows in the league’s second phase. The fans’ fervor, the coaches’ adjustments, and the players’ execution will collectively determine which club advances to the next round and which faces the disappointment of an early exit, never to be underestimated in a tournament that rewards calculated bravery and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Note: coverage relies on match-day reporting and historical context from Goal, with contemporary updates reflected in post-match analyses and official competition summaries.