Soccer

Flamengo turns the tables on Corinthians and opens up a gap in the Brazilian Championship

After a poor first half for coach Filipe Luís's team, the Rio de Janeiro red-and-black team improved in the second half and won another round of the points competition.

Flamengo defeats Corinthians in the Brazilian Championship and puts pressure on its competitors - Photo: Gilvan de Souza Flamengo

28 Set 2025 | 23:08 |

Corinthians and Flamengo faced each other on Sunday night (28), at Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship. With a large audience at the Corinthians home, the black and white team was defeated by Mengão, with a score of 2 to 1. Yuri Alberto scored the goal for the home team. Arrascaeta and Luiz Araújo turned the tables for the leader of the points competition.

FLAMENGO TURNS ON CORINTHIANS AND OPENS A GAP IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The first half was full of good opportunities for Corinthians, while Flamengo practically watched the home team play . In the 13th minute, Yuri Alberto had the opportunity to put the home team ahead, but he chipped the penalty, making it easy for Rossi to save, who saved another penalty for Mengão.

Corinthians had several chances to open the scoring in the first half, but they were squandered , much to Flamengo's dismay, as they had a subpar first half. In the second half, Yuri Alberto made it 1-0 for the home team in the first minute, making things difficult for Filipe Luís's team.

After conceding the goal, Flamengo balanced the game and gradually began to push forward. In the ninth minute, after an excellent exchange of passes inside the box, Carrascal provided an assist for Arrascaeta, who finished with his left foot to equalize the match . Mengão continued to pressure Corinthians to turn the match around at Neo Química Arena.

After the equalizer, Flamengo continued to attack, and in the final minutes of the match, the red-and-black team took a quick throw-in through Gonzalo Plata, catching the Corinthians defense off guard; the counterattack resulted in Luiz Araújo's goal , following an assist from Carrascal, his second of the match. Corinthians lacked the strength to react in the final minutes, and Mengão won 2-1.

Flamengo's next match

After Flamengo's victory against Corinthians, the red-black team opened a new advantage over Cruzeiro and Palmeiras , teams that are chasing the team in the search for the Brazilian Championship title. Mengão returns to the field next Thursday (02), against Cruzeiro , at 8:30 pm, in a duel valid for the 25th round of the Brasileirão, at Maracanã.

Last minute

Soccer

Understand Flamengo's dispute with Libra over Globo's payments

Mengão claims that the group's current contract with TV is detrimental to the club's accounts in the long term and creates a major rebellion against its stance.

Understand the behind-the-scenes of the legal dispute involving Flamengo, Libra and Rede Globo - Photo: Reproduction

28 Set 2025 | 20:30 |

The dispute between Flamengo and Libra has entered a new chapter. Following a request from the Rio de Janeiro club, a Rio de Janeiro court ordered a freeze on part of the funds related to the Brasileirão TV contract , a measure affecting nine of the association's teams. The decision intensified the exchange of accusations between Flamengo, Palmeiras, São Paulo, and the other members.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Libra's contract with TV stations totals R$1.17 billion per year, covering both free-to-air and cable TV broadcasts. The following are members of the association: Flamengo , Palmeiras, São Paulo, Grêmio, Atlético-MG, Santos, Red Bull Bragantino, Bahia, and Vitória—the latter of which has already announced its future exit. This information comes from journalist Rodrigo Mattos of UOL. The dispute centers on the 30% of revenue distributed by audience, approximately R$309 million . The remaining 70%—40% divided equally and 30% by sports performance—is not up for debate.

FLAMENGO'S COMPLAINT

Rubro-Negro claims to have lost around R$100 million compared to the 2024 contract, dropping from R$300 million to R$200 million. According to the board, now led by Luiz Eduardo Baptista (BAP), the current criteria harms the club because Globo channels a large portion of its games to pay-per-view , reducing exposure on free-to-air TV.

Flamengo's proposal was to include pay-per-view (PPV) in its ratings calculation. This could generate an additional R$20 to R$30 million, bringing revenue closer to the level Corinthians received in the LFU (R$220 to R$230 million), the closest to the Mais Querido's previous contract with the broadcaster .

THE DISCORDANCE CRITERION

According to Mattos, most Libra clubs support so-called "scenario 1," approved at an August 2025 assembly: dividing the audience equally (50% for each club in the field) . Flamengo and Volta Redonda were the only ones to vote against it. With this formula, the estimated values per season would be:

Flamengo: R$70 million
São Paulo: R$53.6 million
Palmeiras: R$49.2 million
Santos: R$ 38 million
Atlético-MG: R$ 30.8 million

Flamengo disputes the legality of the meeting, arguing that changes to the bylaws require unanimity . The club also denies that the previous management agreed to the formula, claiming there is no document to prove such a decision.

COURT DECISION

After losing in the first instance, Flamengo obtained an injunction from the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice (TJ-RJ) blocking R$77 million—part of its audience share . In total, Globo will have to withhold R$230 million until a final decision is made. Libra plans to appeal, arguing that the meeting was valid.

EXCHANGE OF ACCUSATIONS

The dispute went beyond the legal realm. Libra accused Flamengo of acting "selfishly" and harming the cash flow of other clubs. Flamengo responded that it will not accept "an absurd solution imposed in a tyrannical manner." In addition to Libra, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Grêmio, Bahia, Atlético-MG, Santos, and Red Bull Bragantino also issued statements criticizing Flamengo's stance.

Flamengo turns the tables on Corinthians and opens up a gap in the Brazilian Championship