Flamengo stunned: Neuer’s swipe, Pulgar’s blow and a silent return | OneFootball

According to reporting from Lance and Globo, Flamengo landed back in Rio de Janeiro early Tuesday morning following their disappointing exit from the FIFA Club World Cup at the hands of Bayern Munich. The squad arrived at Tom Jobim International Airport around 7:30 local time, greeted by a quiet atmosphere with no visible protests or remarks from fans. Players left without speaking to the assembled media.

The mood was understandably somber after Sunday’s 4-2 defeat in Miami, where defensive lapses proved costly, and the team’s campaign came to an abrupt end in the round of 16. Bayern imposed themselves from the outset with two goals inside the game’s opening eight minutes, capitalizing on Flamengo errors. Gerson offered hope with a first-half volley to reduce the deficit, but Leon Goretzka quickly restored Bayern’s two-goal cushion. In the second half, Jorginho’s penalty closed the gap to 3-2 before another Flamengo mistake allowed Harry Kane to seal the result for the Germans.

A major concern to emerge from the match was the injury suffered by Erick Pulgar. The midfielder fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot following a collision with Kane. Pulgar exited through a side entrance at the airport, seen in a wheelchair, and is expected to be sidelined for at least three months. This is the same injury that ruled him out for two months last year, although the possibility of surgery is now being evaluated by Flamengo's medical staff.

Pulgar’s absence comes at a critical point in the season, with Flamengo entering a key spell across domestic and continental competitions. The majority of the squad has been granted a four-day break, but several key players—including Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Rossi, Viña, and Pedro—remained in the United States for an extended rest before resuming training ahead of the clash with São Paulo in the league.

Despite the World Cup disappointment, Flamengo maintain their position at the top of the Brasileirão standings, equal on points with Cruzeiro but with a game in hand. The squad is expected to reconvene on Saturday, aiming to regroup and focus on their strong domestic campaign.

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s post-match comments drew particular attention in the aftermath, as he described the victory as “easy,” underlining how comfortable the German champions felt despite Flamengo’s spells of attacking pressure. Flamengo now face the task of processing their early elimination and reorienting towards their remaining objectives.

(Sources: Lance, Globo)

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images