Flamengo Reclaims League Lead with Dramatic Win Over Corinthians

Flamengo reclaimed top spot in the Brasileirão with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Corinthians on Sunday, September 13, with over 70,000 supporters backing the side at the Maracanã in Round 27 of Brazil's top division. After dominating large portions of the match and opening the scoring through Lucas Paquetá, the Rio club conceded an equalizer in the second half but refused to relent, finding the decisive goal in stoppage time when Bruno Henrique rose highest to power home a header and restore Flamengo to the summit on 57 points.

The Match

Flamengo controlled proceedings from the outset, maintaining a stranglehold on possession and probing for gaps in Corinthians' deep defensive shape. On 21 minutes, the Rubro-Negro carved out the first clear opportunity. Plata sent in a cross from the wing, and Pedro met it with a chest touch only to see Hugo Souza make a commanding save. Ayrton Lucas reacted quickest on the rebound, directing the ball goalward, but João Pedro was alert to clear off the line.

The hosts' pressure mounted. In the 29th minute, Léo Ortiz delivered another cross into the box, Arrascaeta cushioned it with his chest, and Pedro struck first-time. Hugo Souza was equal to the task again, parrying the effort away. From the loose ball, Pedro's effort from close range was blocked by the Corinthians rearguard, earning a corner. Minutes later, Samuel Lino picked up possession on the left flank, surged into the area and fired across goal, only to see his shot sail wide.

Corinthians offered little attacking thrust, staying compact and withdrawn. Late in the first half, Gui Negão played a wayward pass from the back, and Varela struck a left-footed effort that flew over the crossbar.

Despite Flamengo's territorial dominance and a string of half-chances, the breakthrough would not come before the interval, and both sides headed to the dressing room level.

Flamengo emerged with renewed intensity after the restart and broke the deadlock within two minutes. Arrascaeta swung in a corner from the right, Hugo Souza advanced to clear but could only palm the ball away weakly, and Paquetá pounced, controlling and rifling past the goalkeeper to send the Maracanã into raptures: 1-0.

With the advantage gained, Flamengo continued to dictate terms. However, after Corinthians introduced fresh legs, they hauled themselves level. Breno Bidon combined with Garro and laid the ball off to Gui Negão, who tucked home the equalizer: 1-1.

In the closing stages, coach Leonardo Jardim shuffled his pack in pursuit of a winning goal, bringing on Bruno Henrique, Carrascal, Jorginho, Alex Sandro, and Joaquín Freitas—injecting new life into the Rubro-Negro's attack.

The substitutions bore fruit. In the 43rd minute, Jorginho found Joaquín Freitas wide on the flank, and the winger delivered a pinpoint cross for Bruno Henrique to rise unmarked and nod past the goalkeeper: 2-1. The goal carried extra significance for the number 27, marking his 200th appearance for Flamengo at the Maracanã.

With the three points secured, Flamengo moved to 57 points and reclaimed their position at the summit of the Brasileirão. The Nação once again proved the difference-maker from the terraces, with over 70,000 voices driving the Rubro-Negro toward another vital triumph.

Flamengo

Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Danilo, Ayrton Lucas (Alex Sandro); Erick Pulgar, Lucas Paquetá (Joaquín Freitas), Arrascaeta (Jorginho); Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino, Pedro (Bruno Henrique).
Manager: Leonardo Jardim.

Corinthians

Hugo Souza; Milans (Matheuzinho), Iago Machado, João Pedro, Angileri (Matheus Bidu); Raniele, Matheus Pereira (Garro), Charles (Breno Bidon), Lingard, Dieguinho (Kaio César); Gui Negão.
Manager: Fernando Diniz.

Week Ahead

Flamengo return to action on Thursday, September 17 to face Independiente del Valle in the return leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter-final at the Maracanã, kicking off at 21:30 local time.

Match Stats

Flamengo 2-1 Corinthians – Campeonato Brasileiro | Round 27
Venue: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Date & Time: September 13, 2026, 17:30
Referee: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (Goiás), with assistants Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos (Paraná) and Leone Carvalho Rocha (Goiás)
Yellow Cards: Charles (COR), Lucas Paquetá (FLA), Erick Pulgar (FLA), Garro (COR), Jorginho (FLA)
Goals: Lucas Paquetá (2', 2nd half), Gui Negão (32', 2nd half), Bruno Henrique (43', 2nd half).