In a duel for the top of the table, Flamengo and Cruzeiro draw goalless at Maracanã

In a very balanced clash in the 26th round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo and Cruzeiro drew 0-0, on Thursday night (2), at Maracanã. Despite the draw, Rubro-Negro remains in the lead of the championship with 55 points, three more than Palmeiras, in second place.  

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The game

As is customary when playing at Maracanã, Flamengo began the match working the ball up front, exchanging passes to try to open up Cruzeiro's defense. Five minutes in, the first chance came from the red-and-black attack. Jorginho crossed to the far post for Samuel Lino, who headed the ball into the six-yard box. Arrascaeta attempted a sliding tackle but couldn't reach it.

After the first few minutes, Cruzeiro came from behind and tried to push forward. However, the game was fragmented due to fouls committed by both teams. So much so that, after only 20 minutes of play, the referee had already issued four yellow cards, two for each team. 

In the 25th minute, Arrascaeta crossed into the box, but Varela's shot clipped the far post. The ball hit Kaiki Bruno and went out for a corner. Carrascal sent a shot into the box, and Arrascaeta headed the ball just wide of Cássio's left post. In the closing stages, Cruzeiro grew into the match and created chances to open the scoring. Rossi made two important saves to prevent the opposing goal. 

In the final play, the ball was thrown into Cruzeiro's box, and the defense cleared it. The red-and-black players complained about a handball, but the referee let play continue and blew the whistle to end the first half.  

Flamengo returned for the entire second half, pressing Cruzeiro on the attack. Just three minutes in, Carrascal crossed into the box for Samuel Lino to head firmly, but Cássio saved. The game became more open, with both teams looking to attack. 

Shortly after the 15th minute, Bruno Henrique came on for Lino. Carrascal then ran with the ball, exchanged passes with Plata, and appeared in the box to finish. Cássio managed to get ahead and prevent the shot. In the 26th minute, Flamengo had two consecutive chances. Plata received a good pass and was stopped by the goalkeeper. Bruno Henrique then won the challenge in the air, but the ball went wide. 

In the closing stages, William committed a hard foul on Bruno Henrique, received a second yellow card, and was sent off, leaving Cruzeiro with ten men. With six minutes of added time and a man down, the red-and-black team launched an all-out attack but failed to score the winning goal. As a result, the match ended in a draw at the Maracanã. 

Flamengo

Rossi; Varela, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Saul and Arrascaeta (Pedro); Carrascal (Luiz Araújo), Samuel Lino (Bruno Henrique) and Plata.
Coach: Filipe Luís.

Cruzeiro

Cassio; William, Fabrício Bruno, Villalba and Kaiki Bruno; Lucas Romero, Lucas Silva, Matheus Henrique (Eduardo), Christian (Sinisterra) and Matheus Pereira (Kauã Moraes); Kaio Jorge (Gabi).
Coach: Leonardo Jardim. 

Week's agenda

The Most Beloved returns to the field next Sunday (5) to face Bahia, at 18:30 pm, at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 27th round of the Brasileirão.

Technical sheet

Flamengo 0x0 Cruzeiro – Brazilian Championship | 26th Round
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 02/10/2025 at 20:30 am
Refereeing: Ramon Abatti Abel (SC), Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (SP) and Rafael da Silva Alves (RS)
Yellow cards: Alex Sandro (FLA), Carrascal (FLA), Kaiki Bruno (CRU), Lucas Romero (CRU), William (CRU), Kaio Jorge (CRU), Léo Pereira (FLA), Fabrício Bruno (CRU) and Gabi (CRU)
Red card: William (CRU).