In the closing of the 26th round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo and Cruzeiro drew 0-0 at Maracanã on Thursday (2).
With 72,500 fans, the “Biggest in the World” hosted the largest crowd among clubs since the last renovation, carried out for the 2014 World Cup.
As one of the trademarks of the team under Filipe Luís’s command, the Rubro-Negro started by pressing and involving the opponent’s marking.
This time, however, the goal did not come.
Raposa, on the other hand, after the initial pressure, increased competitiveness in the midfield and raised their marking.
The best opportunity of the first half was, in fact, Cruzeiro’s, when Rossi (35′) saved Kaio Jorge’s shot and Christian’s rebound.
After the break, Flamengo returned better and troubled goalkeeper Cássio, who performed a miracle on Samuel Lino’s header.
Rossi also worked in the final stage, as in the shots by Matheus Pereira and Kaio Jorge, before the 15-minute mark.
In the final stretch of the match, Flamengo increased the pressure for the winning goal, even using the “quick throw-in” strategy, as in the game against Corinthians.
Finally, with one player more, after William’s expulsion for a foul on Bruno Henrique (second yellow card), the Rubro-Negro launched fully into the attack.
In the first game against Flamengo at Maracanã, Gabigol embraced former teammates like Bruno Henrique and Pedro, as well as coach Filipe Luís, before the game started, but did not “defend his own” on the bench, even complaining a lot to the refereeing.
With the result, Flamengo remains the leader with 55 points, followed by Palmeiras with 52 points. Verdão, however, has one game less.
Cruzeiro remains in third place, now with 51 points.
Both teams return to the field next Sunday (5), with Rubro-Negro visiting Bahia at Arena Fonte Nova, while Raposa hosts Sport at Mineirão.
📸 Wagner Meier – 2025 Getty Images
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