Flamengo suffers late heartbreak at Cruzeiro in Serie A clash

Flamengo suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cruzeiro on Saturday night at Mineirão in Round 25 of the Brazilian Series A. Despite taking the lead through Pedro, the visitors were undone by a second-half comeback. Flamengo return to action next Sunday (30) when they face Botafogo at 16:00 (Brasília time) in the Maracanã.

Match Report

Flamengo came out aggressive, pressing high and creating early opportunities. In the opening minute, Samuel Lino exchanged passes with Arrascaeta from midfield deep into Cruzeiro's right flank. The number 16 sent a left-footed cross to the far post, finding Carrascal free. The Colombian had time to control but his effort whistled past Otávio's bar.

Eight minutes later, Carrascal threatened again. Receiving at the edge of the area, the midfielder fired at goal but Cruzeiro's defence blocked the shot at the crucial moment.

Flamengo kept probing and came close through Pedro. The number 9 carried the ball forward from midfield and released Carrascal into the box. The Colombian squared back to Pedro at the penalty spot. After bringing it under control, Pedro's angled finish sailed wide.

On 22 minutes, the visitors broke the deadlock. Arrascaeta surged forward and teed up Pedro in the area. The striker ghosted past his marker and curled home to give Flamengo the advantage: Cruzeiro 0-1 Flamengo.

The goal took Pedro to 25 for the season and 177 in total for Flamengo. Arrascaeta, who provided the assist, notched his fourth goal contribution of 2026 and reached 113 in a Flamengo shirt.

In response, Cruzeiro lifted their intensity in search of an equaliser. Flamengo maintained their defensive shape and carried their lead into the break.

After the restart, Flamengo pressed again and looked to add a second. But nine minutes into the half, Cruzeiro levelled. Arroyo collected on the right and finished with precision to level affairs at Mineirão.

Flamengo rallied and rekindled attacking chances. Manager Leonardo Jardim's substitutions provided fresh impetus, and the side created several openings before the 35-minute mark.

In the closing stages, Cruzeiro surged forward and secured victory in the match's final play. On 49 minutes, Matheus Pereira found the net to seal a 2-1 Cruzeiro triumph.

Cruzeiro XI

Otávio; Fagner, Fabrício Bruno, João Marcelo, Villalba; Lucas Romero (Gerson), Matheus Henrique (Zé Lucas), Matheus Pereira; João Costa (Wesley), Arroyo (Kenji), Kaio Jorge (Villarreal).
Manager: Artur Jorge.

Flamengo XI

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

Upcoming fixture

Flamengo are back in action next Sunday (30) at 16:00 for a Serie A clash against Botafogo at the Maracanã, Round 26.

Match Statistics

Cruzeiro 2-1 Flamengo – Series A, Round 25
Venue: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Date & Time: 22 August 2026, 20:30 (Brasília time)
Referee: Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima (Pernambuco), with assistants Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (São Paulo) and Nailton Júnior de Sousa Oliveira (Ceará)
Yellow cards: João Marcelo, Fabrício Bruno (CRU); Bruno Henrique (FLA)
Goals: Pedro 22' (1st half); Arroyo 9' (2nd half); Matheus Pereira 49' (2nd half).