Flamengo loses to Fluminense and complicates their qualification in the Carioca Championship

In another classic for the fourth round of the Cariocão, Flamengo ended up losing to Fluminense 2-1 this Sunday (25), at Maracanã, and complicated their situation in the championship. Under heavy rain in Rio de Janeiro, the game was stopped for 45 minutes. All the goals came in the second half. Serna and John Kennedy scored for the tricolor team, while Cebolinha scored for the rubro-negros.

Now, Flamengo heads into the final round against Sampaio Corrêa needing a win and a combination of other results to qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition. Currently, Flamengo is fifth in Group B and outside the qualifying zone. 

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The game

Under heavy rain at the Maracanã, the Fla-Flu derby began with both teams battling for possession. The rain hampered the flow of the game, with the ball stopping in puddles. Unable to continue the match due to the weather conditions, the referee decided to stop the game.

After a 45-minute pause, the classic match resumed at the Maracanã. Fluminense returned stronger and tried to apply pressure for a few minutes, but Flamengo quickly balanced the game. The team from Gávea even managed to put the ball in the net with Carrascal in the 26th minute, but the referee ruled the Colombian offside.

From the moment Flamengo organized themselves defensively, they began to play in a more coordinated way, exchanging passes. Making his debut that night, Andrew made a great save from Serna's shot in the 36th minute, saving the red-and-black team. In the final stretch of the first half, the game became very fragmented, being interrupted several times by fouls committed by both sides. The teams went into halftime with a goalless draw.

With Erick Pulgar replacing Allan and Bruno Henrique taking Pedro's place, Flamengo returned for the second half with two changes to the team. Six minutes in, Fluminense opened the scoring. Léo Ortiz misplaced a pass in midfield, Santi exchanged passes with John Kennedy, advanced through the middle and passed to Serna who entered the area and shot across goal to beat Andrew: 1-0.

Trailing behind, Flamengo tried to attack, but struggled to string passes together in the attacking midfield. In the 20th minute, Fluminense extended their lead. After a corner kick, Bernal headed the ball into the middle of the area, it hit Royal and fell to John Kennedy who finished unmarked: 2-0.

Flamengo reacted quickly and reduced the deficit in the 27th minute. Also from a set piece, Luiz Araújo took a corner, Vitão headed it towards the six-yard box, and Cebolinha headed it into the net. The ball also deflected off John Kennedy before going in: 2-1.

In search of an equalizer, the Flamengo team went on the attack and almost scored again with Cebolinha in the 36th minute. The striker beat his marker at the edge of the area and shot hard and low, forcing a good save from Fábio, who dived to his right to keep Fluminense in the game.

In the final minutes, Flamengo tried to attack in search of an equalizer, but left the field with a defeat. The result complicates Flamengo's chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals. 

Flamengo

Andrew; Emerson Royal, Vitão, Léo Ortiz and Alex Sandro (Varela); Evertton Araujo, Allan (Erick Pulgar) and Carrascal (Plata); Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro (Bruno Henrique).
Coach: Filipe Luís. 

Fluminense

Fábio; Guga, Jammes, Freytes and Guilherme Arana (Renê); Bernal, Nonato (Lucho Acosta) and Lima (Martinelli); Serna, Canobbio (Santi Moreno) and John Kennedy (Everaldo).
Coach: Maxi Cuberas. 

Week's agenda

Flamengo returns to the field next Wednesday (28) to face São Paulo, at 21:30 pm, at Morumbis, for the debut in Brasileirão 2026.

Technical sheet

Fluminense 2-1 Flamengo – Campeonato Carioca | Round 4
Location: Maracanã, RJ
Date and time: 25/01/2026 at 18:XNUMX am
Referees: Alex Gomes Stefano (RJ), Luiz Cláudio Regazone (RJ) and Daniel de Oliveira Alves Pereira (RJ)
Yellow cards: Allan (FLA), Guga (FLU), Canobbio (FLU), Vitão (FLA), Lima (FLU), John Kennedy (FLU) and Serna (FLU)
Goals: Serna (7'2nd half), John Kennedy (20'2nd half) and Everton Cebolinha (27'2nd half).