Flamengo v Lanús in Argentina: 5 things to know about the Recopa clash | OneFootball

The 2026 Recopa Sudamericana duel is, in theory, quite unequal: millions of dollars separate Lanús and Flamengo. But 'El Granate' clings to the saying that, in football, money isn't always everything, and hopes to secure a home victory this Thursday (18th) in the first leg of this final.

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The match at the Ciudad de Lanús stadium, south of Buenos Aires, scheduled for 9:30 PM (Brasília time), is the starting point for determining the first continental title of the year.

The match is practically guaranteed for now, despite calls for a general strike in Argentina this Thursday against the labor reform promoted by the government of Javier Milei.

Here are five key points of the first leg of the Recopa, whose return match will be played next Thursday at the Maracanã:

1. Astronomical Differences

There is a huge disparity in the economic valuation of the teams. Flamengo's squad, competing in the Recopa as the 2025 Libertadores champion, is valued at R$ 1.38 billion, according to Transfermarkt.

The Rio team holds the two most expensive signings in South American football. The most recent and most expensive? Midfielder Lucas Paquetá, brought back from West Ham in January for R$ 260 million.

The difference is so great that Paquetá is worth practically the same as the entire Lanús squad, which has an estimated value of R$ 270 million, with the skilled Marcelino Moreno (R$ 30.8 million) being the most valuable player.

2. Lanús Relies on Its International Mystique

The Argentine club, champion of the 2025 Copa Sudamericana, began competing internationally in the mid-1990s.

Since then, it has won three tournaments: the 2013 and 2025 Copa Sudamericana and the extinct 1996 Copa Conmebol. It was also a finalist in the 1997 Copa Conmebol, the 2014 Recopa Sudamericana, the 2017 Libertadores, and the 2020 Copa Sudamericana.

Against Brazilian opponents in finals, its record is irregular.

It celebrated against Ponte Preta in 2013 and against Atlético-MG last year in the Copa Sudamericana final.

On the other hand, it failed to overcome Galo in the 1997 Copa Conmebol and the 2014 Recopa Sudamericana, but its most painful defeat was against Grêmio in the 2017 Libertadores.

3. Flamengo Fights for More Cups

Flamengo won its first Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup in 1981, led by Zico, and in the 1990s won the Copa Nicolás Leoz and the extinct Copa Mercosul.

Its international resurgence happened recently, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2019, 2022, and 2025, and the Recopa Sudamericana in 2020.

Against Argentine teams, the Rio club has a record of 52 wins, 34 draws, and 34 losses in 120 matches.

4. How They Arrive at the Decision

Lanús started the Argentine Championship with respectable results and currently occupies the sixth position among 15 teams in Zone A, with eight points in five games.

In the last round, it lost 2-0 to Independiente, in a match where coach Mauricio Pellegrino fielded a team with reserve players.

Starting forward Rodrigo Castillo is expected to miss the match due to an injury.

On the visiting side, Flamengo had a below-expected start to the season.

In the Brasileirão, it is mid-table with four points in three games, while in the Campeonato Carioca it reached the semifinals, although it lost the Supercopa do Brasil, its first title chance of the year, to Corinthians.

Filipe Luís will not be able to count on midfielders Jorginho and Saúl, nor on forwards Wallace Yan and Gonzalo Plata.

5. The Voice of the Coaches

Mauricio Pellegrino, Lanús coach: “Flamengo is a team of the highest level. We want to do everything in our power to play the best match possible.”

Filipe Luís, Flamengo coach: “We want to win another Recopa. But it's a very difficult title. In its 130-year history, Flamengo has only won the Recopa once. It's never easy to play in Argentina.”

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