Flamengo held by Vasco, Palmeiras just two points behind | OneFootball

In this Sunday's classic of the millions, Flamengo and Vasco drew 1-1 at Maracanã. With this result, the Rubro-Negro saw the gap to second-place Palmeiras, who have one game less, shrink to two points. Carrascal scored for the hosts, while Rayan netted for the visitors.

Standings Situation

Flamengo remains at the top with 51 points but sees Palmeiras closing in, just two points behind. Vasco stays in 15th place, with 24 points, two more than Vitória, who are in 17th.

📋 Match Summary

🔴⚫ FLAMENGO 1 x 1 VASCO ⚫⚪ 🏆 Competition: Brazilian Championship 2025 – 24th round 🏟️ Venue: Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) 📅 Date: September 21, 2025 (Sunday) ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM (Brasília time)

🟨 Yellow Cards: Ayrton Lucas and Arrascaeta (FLA), Lucas Oliveira, Barros, and Rayan (VAS) 🟥 Red Cards: none.

Refereeing

Goals

Lineups

🔴⚫ FLAMENGO Rossi; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Danilo, and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Allan, Saul, and Carrascal (Arrascaeta); Plata (Luiz Araújo), Bruno Henrique (Pedro), and Everton Cebolinha (Samuel Lino) Coach: Filipe Luís

⚫⚪ VASCO Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Carlos Cuesta, Robert Renan (Lucas Oliveira), Puma Rodríguez; Hugo Moura, Barros (Matheus Carvalho), Philippe Coutinho (Matheus França); Rayan, Vegetti (David), and Nuno Moreira (Andrés) Coach: Fernando Diniz

How was the game?

Even before the ball started rolling, the classic's script was already influenced by different realities. Flamengo, with a "final" for the Libertadores against Estudiantes in Argentina looming, fielded a heavily modified team. Filipe Luís rested key players like Arrascaeta and Pedro, relying on the squad's depth. On the other side, a depleted Vasco out of necessity, but with the urgency of playing each match as if it were the last.

The first half reflected this mix of scenarios. Flamengo, even with a mixed team, showed their strength in the opening minutes. At ten minutes, Cebolinha hit the crossbar with a beautiful shot. In the next move, the pressure continued, and after a miracle save by Léo Jardim from a Bruno Henrique deflection, the ball fell cleanly for Carrascal to smash into the net, scoring his first goal in the red and black jersey.

The advantage, however, did not intimidate a brave Vasco. Led by Philippe Coutinho, the Cruzmaltino took control and began to press. Rossi had to perform a miracle on a header from Puma Rodríguez, but at 29 minutes, there was no stopping it. From a corner kick, young Rayan rose higher than everyone else and headed firmly to equalize the game, sending the Vasco fans into a frenzy and establishing a fair score for the first half.

Feeling the danger, Filipe Luís brought some starters in for the second half, introducing Arrascaeta and Pedro. The change almost had an immediate effect, with Saúl hitting Léo Jardim's crossbar again. The game became more open, with chances for both sides. Pedro had the chance to turn it around but was stopped by a great save from the Vasco goalkeeper. In the final minutes, it was Rossi's turn to save Flamengo from a dangerous shot by Matheus França.

Upcoming Matches

Flamengo

The Rubro-Negro visits Estudiantes this Thursday at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) for the return leg of the Libertadores quarter-finals. The match will be held at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium.

Vasco

The Gigante da Colina hosts Bahia this Wednesday at 7:30 PM for the rescheduled match of the 16th round of the Brasileirão. The game will be at São Januário.

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