Soccer

De La Cruz will become Filipe Luis' trump card for the 2025 season for Flamengo - Check it out

Even on a collectively uninspired night, the Uruguayan stood out with a great goal and reinforced his importance for the rest of the season.

11 Abr 2025 | 12:41 |

Flamengo had a performance below expectations against Central Córdoba, from Argentina, last Wednesday (9), at Maracanã. On the field, the team showed little offensive inspiration and ended the first half being defeated by 2 to 0. Even with the strength of the fans, Mais Querido was unable to react as expected, but an isolated play rekindled the red-black hope.

DE LA CRUZ SCORES A GREAT GOAL AND STANDS OUT

In the 15th minute of the second half, De La Cruz took responsibility and hit a beautiful free kick into the right corner of goalkeeper Aguerre's goal. The goal reduced the Argentines' lead and gave the team a boost on the field. Although the reaction was not enough to secure the comeback, the great goal was one of the few positive highlights of the night at Maracanã.

URUGUAYAN REPEATS A FEAT ALREADY KNOWN BY THE FANS

This was not the first time that the Uruguayan midfielder left his mark with a free kick while wearing the Mengão jersey. Last season, in his debut in the Brasileirão, De La Cruz had already shown his quality by scoring a similar goal against Atlético-GO, in the match played at Serra Dourada. Signed as a major reinforcement at the beginning of 2024 , De La Cruz arrived at the Rio de Janeiro club after long negotiations. Even so, the athlete faced a series of injuries in the first few months, which prevented him from being regular . Because of this, he was left out of important moments, such as the final stretch of the victorious campaign in the Copa do Brasil.

With more cautious planning this season, the club has adopted a load control scheme to preserve the physical condition of the number 18. The Uruguayan was spared from some matches at the beginning of the year and, little by little, has regained his place among the starters. The goal of the coaching staff is to avoid premature fatigue and ensure that he is 100% in the decisive moments.

Since returning to the first team, De La Cruz has shown physical and technical development. His presence on the field helps to organize the midfield and offers alternatives in set pieces, something that has made a difference in tighter games. His free kick against Central Córdoba is further proof of his repertoire.

Last minute

Soccer

Saiu! Confira a escalação do Flamengo para enfrentar o Madureira pelo Carioca

Técnico Filipe Luís confirma equipe titular para duelo decisivo no Maracanã; Rubro-Negro defende vantagem de três gols contra o Madureira com novidades

Confirmado entre os titulares, Lucas Paquetá é a esperança de criação do Flamengo na semifinal do Carioca - foto: reprodução

02 Mar 2026 | 19:55 |

A definição do segundo finalista do Campeonato Carioca acontece na noite desta segunda-feira (02), com a bola rolando às 21h (horário de Brasília) no Estádio do Maracanã. Para o confronto de volta contra o Madureira, o técnico Filipe Luís confirmou uma equipe com mudanças significativas, promovendo a entrada de Lucas Paquetá entre os titulares.

O Rubro-Negro entra em campo defendendo uma larga vantagem construída no jogo de ida. A partida terá cobertura completa para quem não for ao estádio, com transmissão exclusiva dos canais por assinatura. O torcedor poderá acompanhar todos os lances ao vivo através do SporTV (TV fechada) ou pelo Premiere (sistema pay-per-view), ambos canais do Grupo Globo.

CONFIRA A ESCALAÇÃO

O Flamengo vai a campo com: Andrew; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Vitão e Alex Sandro; Evertton Araújo, De La Cruz e Lucas Paquetá; Carrascal, Cebolinha e Pedro. A estratégia visa manter a intensidade para carimbar o passaporte para a final, onde o Fluminense já aguarda o vencedor.

LISTA DE DESFALQUES

A montagem da equipe para esta segunda-feira foi diretamente impactada pelo Boletim Médico do clube. Ao todo, o Flamengo tem seis baixas confirmadas, sendo a ausência de Giorgian De Arrascaeta a mais sentida. Além do meia, o Mais Querido tem outros desfalques.

Bruno Henrique: O atacante foi vetado devido a uma pubalgia e segue em tratamento.
Erick Pulgar: O volante chileno queixou-se de dores musculares após a final da Recopa contra o Lanús e não foi relacionado.
Jorginho e Léo Pereira: Ambos foram vetados pelo Departamento Médico por conta do alto desgaste físico acumulado na última partida.
Saúl: O jogador segue o cronograma de recuperação após cirurgia no calcanhar esquerdo e ainda não está à disposição de Filipe Luís.

De La Cruz will become Filipe Luis' trump card for the 2025 season for Flamengo - Check it out