Fla and Vasco could face relegation play-off in the Cariocão, here’s why💡 | OneFootball

The fifth and penultimate round of the 2026 Cariocão ended this Monday (2nd) with the sleepy 0-0 draw between Vasco and Madureira.

Mathematically, only Fluminense (leader of Group A with 12 points) and Botafogo (leader of Group B with nine points) have qualified for the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

Second in Group A with 10 points, Volta Redonda has "one and a half feet" in, since Sampaio Corrêa, fifth place with seven points, could even match their score, but the difference in points balance favors the team from the south of the state (+4 vs. -1).

But while Tricolor das Laranjeiras and Glorioso are already guaranteed in the next phase, Vasco and Flamengo could end up in the relegation quadrangular.

This would happen if Cruz-Maltino, fourth place in Group A with eight points, does not beat Botafogo in the last round, and Sampaio Corrêa defeats Rubro-Negro. 

According to the 2026 Cariocão regulations, the bottom two teams from each group go to the relegation quadrangular.

Only ONE TEAM would be relegated to the state second division.

📅 Last round

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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