The historic showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys at Maracanã drew the attention of major soccer stars, including players from the Flamengo squad.
The Maracanã was the stage for an unforgettable night for sports fans this Sunday (27). In an electrifying NFL duel, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-31.
The game, which marked the American football league’s debut in Rio de Janeiro, was decided in the final second, sending the crowd of 72,792 fans into a frenzy.
The presence of Flamengo stars at the stadium caught the attention of the red-and-black faithful. Players such as Saúl, Léo Ortiz, Emerson Royal, and Jorginho watched the spectacle up close.
The event was so grand that it surpassed the stadium’s attendance record for the year, previously set during the match between Flamengo and Cruzeiro in the Libertadores.
Drama until the final second
The game was defined by impressive balance and constant swings in the score. While Derrick Henry shined with two rushing touchdowns for the Ravens, the Cowboys did not make it easy.
In the final moments, the scenario shifted drastically: with only seven seconds left, the Texans tied the game at 31-31 with a field goal, threatening to send the game into overtime.
However, the fate of the match was sealed by a moment of extreme precision. After a quick drive led by Lamar Jackson, kicker Tyler Loop was called upon for a challenging 57-yard attempt.
The kicker did not miss. Loop nailed the 57-yard field goal and secured the Ravens’ victory in the final second.
A historic night in Rio de Janeiro
The atmosphere at Maracanã was a show in itself. The Brazilian crowd was engaged throughout the game, reacting to every play and becoming emotional during the national anthem, a moment that even left quarterback Dak Prescott moved.
The event, which featured halftime entertainment, firmly established the city of Rio on the official NFL calendar.
This was the third time Brazil has hosted an official league game. Following two games held in São Paulo—featuring the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025—Rio de Janeiro now makes history with one of the most thrilling victories ever recorded on Brazilian soil.
The absolute success of the event reinforces the country’s potential to host future editions of the league.
