Before the round of 16, the first of two rematches for Mengao, still reeling from Cariocao, ended with equal intensity and raw emotion.
The rivalry is alive. The Fla-Flu that sparked in the first leg carried the same drama as the league’s fiercest derby, with Flamengo and Fluminense both seeing a real chance to advance to the Copa do Brasil quarter finals. The match unfolded at the Maracana, a venue that’s always charged with memories, and the emotional tone matched the stakes as the teams split the points in the opener.
Flamengo showcased a strong era under Jorge Sampaoli, yet they could not crack the stubborn resistance of an inspired Fábio, needed at crucial moments. Flamengo dominated the second half after Felipe Melo was sent off, but Casildo’s side stood firm. The visitors pressed relentlessly and looked solid defensively, closing the space and testing the Flamengo goalkeeper repeatedly. The draw keeps the tie vividly open for the June 1 rematch.
The Chilean influence was evident in Rio, with Erick Pulgar growing into a more influential role and Arturo Vidal remaining a key option in midfield. The coach lauded Pulgar, noting his maturity and balance as a central figure. He also pointed out opportunities to shoot from outside the area and admitted that while the result felt unfinished, the performance offered clear positives and room to improve for the return leg.
To reach the round of 16, Sampaoli’s squad had endured a tense path, including a challenging slip against Maringá in the domestic league. Yet they recovered and sealed an 8-2 aggregate win over a higher-ranked opponent. Paysandu fell at the hands of the Tricolor in a dominant display, while Flamengo’s rivalry with Fluzao left injuries and heightened emotions in its wake. The clash of the giants was the first since the Cariocao final and left the Flamengo project buzzing with renewed determination.
102nd minute, the match ends and everything will be decided on the first day of June, a date set to settle the fate of the tie.
97th minute, a defensive wall by Fábio prevented a late scoring moment that could have changed the rhythm of the rematch in Flamengo’s favor.
67th minute, Gabigol was taken off as the game wore on, reflecting the intensity of the contest.
55th minute, Arrascaeta almost opened the scoring with a well-worked sequence from Gabigol, the Uruguayan connecting with a cross but unable to direct it on target.
51st minute, a dramatic moment as Felipe Melo committed a harsh challenge on Gabigol. The referee booked him and, after VAR discussion, sent him off, leaving Flamengo with ten men going forward.
45 plus five minutes, the first half ends with the scoreline still even as both sides reflected on opportunities missed and strategic battles won on the pitch.
38th minute, Marcelo had to leave the field through injury, with Guga taking his place and stabilizing the defense.
28th minute, Flamengo’s goalkeeper produced a key save on a one-on-one with Marcelo, timing his reaction perfectly to deny a close-range finish.
23rd minute, Gerson found space as he searched for chances, showing the former Roma player’s fluency in the midfield and his capacity to create danger in the opponent’s half.
20th minute, a moment of near brilliance as Pulgar found a line-breaking pass that clipped Gabigol, who crossed toward the goal and saw Giorgian Arrascaeta arrive in a crowded area ready to pounce on any rebound.
7th minute, Fabrício Bruno had a couple of early misses that kept the crowd on edge as both teams tried to impose their game plan from the outset.
1st minute, the league’s familiar stage is set at Maracanã, where the story of this derby will unfold with renewed chapters.
With Marcelo and Germán Cano in the lineup, Fernando Diniz’s Flamengo kicked off in a familiar shape: a 4-3-2-1 configuration, albeit with Pedro’s injury absence weighing on the team’s forward options.
The locker room atmosphere echoed the fans’ anticipation as Flamengo prepared to showcase their best in front of a home crowd. The team’s supporters filled the stands with energy as the stadium welcomed Flamengo back to a stage that has defined so many big nights.
Source: Goal