After a brilliant 2025, Flamengo continues to disappoint in the current season and has already accumulated four games without a win. After the defeats to Fluminense, São Paulo, and Corinthians, finishing second in the Super Cup, this time the team was in the 1-1 draw against Internacional, in the second round of the Brazilian Championship, being heavily booed by the fans at Maracanã.
With the result, Flamengo scored its first point in the national championship, as did Internacional, which started with a defeat to Athletico-PR in Beira-Rio.
Debuting in the starting team, Paquetá was shy and was isolated on the right side of the field. Even though he had little participation, he forced Rochet to make a save, with a shot from inside the area. The best chance came from Arrascaeta’s feet, with the shot blocked at the right time by Victor Gabriel. In stoppage time, Inter took advantage of their last chance. Borré received it from Carbide, made a nice feint at Léo Ortiz and hit a cross to score, at 46to boos from the Flamengo fans at Maracanã.
Flamengo continued to be disconnected after the break and were almost surprised by Carbonero, who stopped in a great save from Rossi with less than a minute. The move served to wake up the team and re-enter the match. Maintaining his posture of exchanging passes, he began to pile up chances and tire the Gaucho defense. Until, in the 23rd minute, Bernabéi dozed off and brought down Varela inside the area. Arrascaeta moved Rochet and left everything the same with a penalty.
It was natural that after the goal, Flamengo increased the pressure, as in Carrascal’s shot saved by Rochet with his foot. However, what we saw afterwards were several frustrated attempts at crossings and infiltrations, making life easier for Internacional, who withstood the pressure and were still frightening at set pieces. The additions gained a little more emotion, with the teams taking turns counterattacking, however the effectiveness went a long way and the duel ended in a draw, to more boos in Maracanã.
Flamengo now turns the key to the Campeonato Carioca, where they face Sampaio Corrêa on Saturday, at 9pm, at Maracanã, needing victory at any cost to avoid competing in the state’s Relegation Quadrangular. Internacional will play on Sunday, at 6pm, against São Luiz, in Beira-Rio, in a single game of the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Gaúcho.
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