Flamengo defeats Mirassol and inches closer to the top of the Brazilian Serie A
Flamengo has taken another solid step toward the top of the Brazilian Serie A standings. In a rescheduled match from the fourth round, Mengão overcame Mirassol with a 2-0 scoreline at the Maracanã, further solidifying their campaign in the competition.
With this result, the Rubro-Negro side has reached 51 points, sitting just one point behind league leaders Palmeiras.
The victory was secured in the first half with goals from Carrascal and Lucas Paquetá. The win is a significant boost for the team, intensifying their title push and strengthening their position at the sharp end of the table.
Adding extra intrigue to the final stretch of the season is the fact that these two teams are still set to face each other in a direct showdown during the second half of the campaign.
A dominant performance at the Maracanã
From the opening whistle, Flamengo demonstrated control of the ball and looked to attack with sharp, vertical passing. The pressure paid off, and the first major chance came after a well-constructed play.
Pulgar sent a long ball to Carrascal, who teed up Pedro. The striker played it back to Samuel Lino, who found Lucas Paquetá in the six-yard box, but the number 8 sent his effort wide.
The home side’s persistence was eventually rewarded. Following a precise pass from Pulgar to Samuel Lino, the attacker broke forward and laid it off to Pedro. The number 9 quickly found Carrascal, who made no mistake, firing home from inside the box to open the scoring.
It was the Colombian’s third goal in his last five games, highlighting his excellent form.
Doubling the lead before the break
After breaking the deadlock, Flamengo maintained their offensive pressure, while Mirassol struggled to build play and sat deeper defensively.
A forced substitution occurred in the 30th minute when Pulgar—who recently had his contract extended until 2029—felt some discomfort and was replaced by Evertton Araujo.
Late in the first half, the team missed a clear chance to extend their lead through Samuel Lino and Varela. However, they didn’t miss on their next opportunity.
From an advanced position on the right, Carrascal delivered a pinpoint cross to Lucas Paquetá, who powered a header into the corner, giving goalkeeper Walter no chance to prevent the second goal before the interval.
Managing the second half
Flamengo returned for the second half with the lead and looked to maintain the tempo, despite Evertton Araujo being replaced by Arrascaeta, with Paquetá dropping into a deeper role.
Mirassol attempted a reaction, opening up more and reaching the final third with greater frequency. However, the intensity dropped, and the pace of the match became more measured.
Coach Leonardo Jardim made changes to refresh the squad, bringing on Saúl and Bruno Henrique, while Everton Cebolinha also entered the fray.
In the final minutes, Mirassol pressed to find a goal, but Flamengo managed to control the game and secure the three points.
With the win, Mengão matches their best performance in the championship and remains very much alive in the heated race for the top spot.
Lineups:
Flamengo:Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar (Evertton Araujo) (Arrascaeta), Jorginho, and Lucas Paquetá; Carrascal (Saúl), Samuel Lino (Everton Cebolinha), and Pedro (Bruno Henrique). Coach: Leonardo Jardim.
Mirassol:Walter (Alex Muralha); Igor Formiga (Elias), Gabriel Knesowitsch, João Victor, Willian Machado, and Reinaldo; Cazonatti (Chico Kim), Denilson, and Carlos Eduardo (Shaylon); Fernandinho and André Luis (Bruno Santos). Coach: Rafael Guanaes.
Upcoming fixtures:
Flamengo returns to action next Sunday (6) to face Remo at 4:00 PM at the Mangueirão, in the 26th round of the Brazilian Serie A.
Match Details:
Flamengo 2-0 Mirassol
Competition:Brazilian Championship – 4th round (rescheduled match)
Venue:Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Date and Time: 09/02/2026, 7:30 PM
Refereeing:Anderson Daronco (RS), Michael Stanislau (RS), and Luciane Rodrigues dos Santos (RS)
Yellow Cards:Rafael Guanaes (MIR), João Victor (MIR), and Denilson (MIR)
Goals:Carrascal (13’/1st half) and Lucas Paquetá (42’/1st half)
