Flamengo's Narrow Victory Over Palmeiras Intensifies 2025 Brasileirão Title Race
Flamengo's 3-2 win over Palmeiras tightens the 2025 Brasileirão title race as both teams are now level on points, with coaching reactions spotlighting contentious refereeing moments.
- • Flamengo defeated Palmeiras 3-2 at Maracanã, tying them on 61 points in the Brasileirão standings.
- • Pedro was instrumental for Flamengo, contributing a goal, assist, and winning a decisive penalty.
- • A controversial non-call of a penalty early in the game sparked coaching critiques of referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio.
- • Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira acknowledged refereeing errors but avoided heavy criticism, emphasizing the referee's authority.
Key details
In a thrilling encounter at Maracanã Stadium on October 19, 2025, Flamengo edged Palmeiras 3-2 in a match that significantly heightened the stakes of the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro title race. Both teams now sit tied on 61 points, though Palmeiras retains the top spot based on a superior number of wins, underlining the fierce competition as the season nears its climax.
Flamengo's standout star Pedro was central to the win, registering a goal, an assist, and winning the penalty that Jorginho converted. The match began with Flamengo taking the lead through Arrascaeta, quickly countered by Palmeiras' Vitor Roque equalizing. Subsequent goals from Jorginho via penalty and Pedro brought Flamengo a 3-1 advantage before halftime. Although Palmeiras fought back in the second half with a goal from Gustavo Gómez, it proved insufficient to overturn Flamengo's lead.
A pivotal and controversial moment came early in the game when a penalty appeal for Palmeiras was denied. Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira, while refraining from harsh criticism, highlighted perceived officiating errors and moments of disrespect from referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio towards his players. Ferreira noted the importance of the referee's decisions, stating, "The referee is who decides," acknowledging the contentious nature of some calls without aggressively condemning the official. The match drew a crowd of 71,000 spectators and was widely described as an "anticipated final," reflecting the heightening rivalry between these title contenders.
Both Flamengo and Palmeiras have one fewer match played due to commitments in the FIFA Club World Cup and upcoming Copa Libertadores semifinals, keeping the title race wide open with close competition expected in the remaining fixtures.