Drama to spare! Athletico and Flamengo draw in clash full of internationals | OneFootball

Arena da Baixada was the stage for the match that closed the 16th round of the 2026 Brasileirão on Sunday night (17). 

The last one before the Brazil squad is called up for the World Cup.

And with Carlo Ancelotti watching the match in person, Athletico and Flamengo drew 1-1 in front of 34,197 fans.

The clash brought together a total of eleven players included in preliminary World Cup lists - including Colombia’s and Uruguay’s.

Will they all make the World Cup?

CAP vs. CRF featured the already mentioned 11 players in contention for World Cup call-ups.

Fla took the field with seven Brazil national team players: Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Paquetá, Samuel Lino and Pedro. Plus Carrascal (Colombia) and Varela (Uruguay).

Furacão, meanwhile, had Colombians Viveros and Mendoza. Portilla, who served a suspension, is also on the Cafeteros preliminary list. 

UGLY mistake and Colombian goal

Athletico went with its already familiar approach at home: pressing its opponent with great intensity. 

And it paid off. Mendoza took a shot and Rossi helped him out in the 11th minute.

Mistake by the Argentine goalkeeper, and Furacão went in front.

Flamengo gradually started to see more of the ball as the minutes passed. But without forcing Santos into any major saves.

The first half also featured complaints from both sides regarding the refereeing.

Rossi fully redeems himself

The second half was even more intense.

"Targeted" by the CAP crowd, Léo Pereira almost made things difficult for Fla.

Flamengo kept more possession. But without any real scoring chances.

A key figure in the first half, Rossi had already done well before that. And he made two brilliant saves on attempts by Viveros. 

Then came Felipinho hitting the crossbar.

That was when Leonardo Jardim’s team found the equalizer.

Long ball from Léo Pereira, play by Bruno Henrique, and Pedro scored (84'). 

He became the outright top scorer in the Brasileirão with nine goals. 

Fla pushed forward. And nearly turned it around.

Stoppage time brought Danilo’s sending-off. But there were no more goals.

📊 Standings and schedule 📅

Athletico moved to 24 points. It remains fifth, as it has scored fewer goals than São Paulo. Both teams have the same record and the same goal difference. 

Flamengo, meanwhile, reached 31. It remains four points behind Palmeiras - which has played one more match.

CAP will be back in action on Sunday (24), when it will be in Belém to face Remo at Mangueirão.

Flamengo, meanwhile, has a Libertadores challenge on Wednesday (20), when it will host Estudiantes. It leads Group A and will face the second-placed team.

Then comes a "final" in the league. It will face the leader on Saturday (23). Also at the Maracanã. 

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

📸 Heuler Andrey - 2026 Getty Images