From 9pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, the Flamengo “play your life” against Sampaio Corrêa for classification in the Carioca Championship.
To advance to the quarterfinals and escape the relegation quadrangle, Rubro-Negro doesn’t just depend on themselves.
In addition to Flamengo and Sampaio Corrêa, three other simultaneous games decide the last places: Portuguesa x Nova Iguaçu; Volta Redonda x Madureira; and Bangu x Boavista.
On Sunday, Fluminense, already classified, faces Maricá, who will compete in the relegation quadrangular. Botafogo, which is also in the quarter-finals, faces Vasco, whose situation is undefined.
What Flamengo needs to advance
Flamengo faces Sampaio Corrêa on Saturday (7), at 9pm (Brasília time) at Maracanã. With four points from five games, Rubro-Negro reaches the final round as fifth in Group B. To qualify, they will need a combination of results.
The simplest scenario is a victory over Sampaio Corrêa. If they win the three points, Flamengo will need one of the three results that interest them below:
- &]:indent-5 mb-3 break-words [ul>&]:relative [ul>&]:before:absolute [ul>&]:before:left-1 [ul>&]:before:top-2 [ul>&]:before:w-2 [ul>&]:before:h-2 [ul>&]:before:bg-red-600 [ul>&]:before:rounded-full marker:inline group-[.isActiveSource]:text-xl”>Boavista’s defeat against Bangu, in Moça Bonita
- Madureira’s defeat against Volta Redonda, at Raulino de Oliveira
- Nova Iguaçu’s defeat or draw against Portuguesa, in the Luso-Brasileiro
There is still a chance of advancing in case of a draw, but it is unlikely.
In this case, Filipe Luís’ team needs to eliminate a difference of four goals and four pro goals. If they lose to Sampaio, Rubro-Negro will compete in the relegation quadrangular.
The format of Carioca
In 2026, the clubs competing in the Guanabara Cup are divided into two groups, with six teams. At this stage, the teams face rivals from the other group in a single round.
The top four in each group advance to the quarterfinals of the State Championship, while the last two compete in the relegation quadrangle. The four worst teams face each other in a round and round and the worst placed team is relegated to Series A2.
The quarter-finals will be a single game against opponents from the same group (1stx4th and 2ndx3rd).
The semifinals will be round-trip games, while the decision will be a single match.
How Filipe Luís prepares Flamengo
In five games for the first team, Flamengo only won one game (Vasco against Carioca) in 2025.
After the draw with Internacional in the Brasileirão, Filipe Luís’ team was booed at Maracanã. The team was coming off defeats to Fluminense (Carioca), São Paulo (Brazilian) and Corinthians (Supercup). The coach admitted that the squad is not 100% physically.
For this reason, changes to the starting lineup should take place this Saturday (7).
Probable lineups
Flemish: Rossi; Varela, Vitão, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho and Carrascal; Gonzalo Plata, Samuel Lino and Pedro – Technician: Filipe Luís.
Sampaio Corrêa: Zé Carlos; Lucas Carvalho, Lucas Marreta, Guilherme and Daniel Nunes; Pablo, Alexandre Souza, Octávio and Rodrigo Andrade; Luan Gama and Matheus Iacovelli – Technician: Antonio Carlos Roy.
Where to watch Flamengo x Sampaio Corrêa-RJ
- &]:indent-5 mb-3 break-words [ul>&]:relative [ul>&]:before:absolute [ul>&]:before:left-1 [ul>&]:before:top-2 [ul>&]:before:w-2 [ul>&]:before:h-2 [ul>&]:before:bg-red-600 [ul>&]:before:rounded-full marker:inline group-[.isActiveSource]:text-xl [ul>&]:indent-5 mb-3 break-words [ul>&]:relative [ul>&]:before:absolute [ul>&]:before:left-1 [ul>&]:before:top-2 [ul>&]:before:w-2 [ul>&]:before:h-2 [ul>&]:before:bg-red-600 [ul>&]:before:rounded-full marker:inline group-[.isActiveSource]:text-xl”>TV: SporTV is Premiere
- Streaming: GeTV (YouTube)
- Real time: CNN Sports
