Flamengo thrash Bahia 3-0 at Fonte Nova and maintain top spot in Serie A

Flamengo beat Bahia 3-0 on Sunday (18) at Arena Fonte Nova in Round 31 of the Brazilian Championship. After a tight first half with chances for both sides but no goals, the Rubro-Negro built their victory in the second period with goals from Jorginho (penalty), Plata and Lucas Paquetá.

The result ended Bahia's run of nine consecutive home matches unbeaten. With three points secured in Salvador, Flamengo reached 67 points and maintained top position in the Serie A standings.

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

The Match

Flamengo attacked from the outset and created a clear opportunity inside the opening minute. Jorginho found Pedro with a precise pass, and the striker finished after Bahia goalkeeper Ronaldo rushed out. David Duarte appeared to clear and deny the Rubro-Negro.

Leonardo Jardim's side controlled possession and probed for openings against Bahia's organised defence. In the 9th minute, Carrascal tried a low drive but Ronaldo made a comfortable save. Shortly after, the Colombian threatened again and Ronaldo was required to make another intervention.

In the 15th minute, Carrascal received on the left and struck a placed shot, forcing another solid stop from the Bahia goalkeeper.

Flamengo maintained their pressure. On 25 minutes, after a corner, Pulgar produced a well-struck volley that tested Ronaldo once more.

The home side attempted to reply on the counter-attack. After 21 minutes, Juba fired wide following an attacking move by Bahia. Four minutes later, from a corner, Pulgar again volleyed well and Ronaldo had to work.

On 38 minutes, Cristian Oliveira advanced and shot from distance with the ball sailing wide of Flamengo goalkeeper Rossi. Late in the half, the Rubro-Negro threatened again. On 42, Samuel Lino crossed low for Pedro, who struck first time but saw Ronaldo make another save. Both teams entered the interval with the score level.

After the restart, the Rubro-Negro maintained their attacking intent. In the opening minute of the second half, Carrascal released Samuel Lino, who finished but Ronaldo was equal to the task. Flamengo pressed forward while Bahia struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

On 15 minutes, Carrascal was brought down by Marco Moreno in the area and the referee awarded a penalty to the Rubro-Negro. Jorginho took responsibility, executed his trademark hop, skip and jump and sent Ronaldo the wrong way to break the deadlock: 1-0. The midfielder reached his ninth goal in a Flamengo shirt, his fourth of the season.

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

With the advantage, the Rubro-Negro found more space to operate. On 21 minutes, Plata tried from distance and Ronaldo parried for a corner. Subsequently, Léo Pereira also attempted from range but the ball went out of play.

On 27 minutes, Flamengo extended their lead. Samuel Lino received on the left and delivered a precise cross for Plata, who appeared at the far post and headed home: 2-0.

The Ecuadorian reached his tenth goal for the club, his third in 2026. Samuel Lino, in turn, reached 22 assists for Flamengo, 17 of them in 2026, cementing his place as the club's primary playmaker this year.

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

Four minutes later, Lucas Paquetá added a stunning third. After a move down the right and a corner, the ball fell to Varela, who found the number 11. Paquetá nutmegged Juba, burst past Caio Alexandre and finished with his left foot to seal the victory.

With the goal, the midfielder reached 31 for Flamengo, 13 of them since his return to the Rubro-Negro. Varela, who provided the assist for the beauty, now has ten assists for Flamengo, four this year.

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

In the closing stages, the Rubro-Negro managed the advantage and continued searching for openings in attack. On 36 minutes, Bruno Henrique received in stride and found himself one-on-one with Ronaldo, but the move was halted by an offside flag. At the other end, Ademir tried a header on 38 but Rossi emerged confidently.

Bahia

Ronaldo; Cristian Oliveira (Ademir), Marcos Victor (Román Gómez), David Duarte, Marco Moreno and Luciano Juba; Acevedo (Caio Alexandre), Jean Lucas and Nestor (Everton Ribeiro); Erick Pulga (Sanabria) and Alejo Veliz.

Manager: Rogério Ceni.

Flamengo

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

Rossi; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz (Vitão), Léo Pereira and Varela; Erick (De La Cruz) and Jorginho; Samuel Lino (Joaquín Freitas), Carrascal (Lucas Paquetá) and Plata; Pedro (Bruno Henrique).

Manager: Leonardo Jardim.

This Week's Fixtures

The Rubro-Negro return to action on Thursday (22) at 21:30 to face Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracanã in the second leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 semi-final.

Match Details

Bahia 0-3 Flamengo – Round 31, Brazilian Championship 2026

Venue: Arena Fonte Nova – Bahia, Salvador

Date and time: 18/10/2026, 18:30

Refereeing: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (GO), Rafael da Silva Alves (RS), Fernanda Nandrea Gomes Antunes (MG), Fábio Augusto Santos Sá Júnior (SE) and Pablo Ramon Gonçalves Pinheiro (RN).

Yellow cards: Erick (FLA), Cristian Oliveira (BAH), Léo Pereira (FLA), Jean Lucas (BAH), Marco Moreno (BAH) and Román Gómez (BAH).

Goals: Jorginho (17'2H), Plata (27'2H) and Lucas Paquetá (31'2H).