Flamengo Falls to Lanús in Extra Time of 2026 Recopa Sul-Americana Final
Flamengo loses to Lanús 3-2 after extra time in the 2026 Recopa Sul-Americana final, marking a challenging start to their season.
- • Flamengo lost 3-2 on aggregate to Lanús after extra time at Maracanã.
- • Lanús scored first from a defensive error; Flamengo equalized twice via penalties.
- • The match exposed Flamengo’s defensive errors and offensive struggles under pressure.
- • Flamengo’s Arrascaeta scored his 100th club goal in a subsequent Campeonato Carioca match.
Key details
In a dramatic final at Maracanã on February 26, 2026, Flamengo suffered a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Lanús in the Recopa Sul-Americana, losing the decisive match after extra time. Following a 1-0 loss in the first leg held in Argentina, Flamengo entered the second leg determined to overturn the deficit but faced an uphill battle against a disciplined Lanús side.
The match began with Flamengo pressing aggressively, though Lanús struck first in the 28th minute through Castillo, who capitalized on a defensive mistake involving Ayrton Lucas and goalkeeper Diego Rossi. Flamengo responded well, earning two penalties that Arrascaeta and Jorginho converted, equalizing the aggregate at 2-2 and pushing the game into extra time.
However, despite the flurry of penalties, Flamengo's attack struggled to break through Lanús' strong defensive setup. In extra time, fatigue set in for Flamengo, and Lanús seized the moment with goals from Canale—a header in the 13th minute—and Dylan Aquino on a counterattack, securing the victory and the title for the Argentine team.
This loss has deepened the crisis surrounding Flamengo early in the 2026 season. The match exposed critical defensive lapses and a lack of offensive creativity, even though Flamengo's coach Filipe Luís made significant changes to the starting eleven in an attempt to change the team's fortunes. This defeat marks Flamengo’s second runner-up finish of the season, following their earlier loss to Corinthians in the Supercopa do Brasil.
Following the Recopa disappointment, Flamengo swiftly shifted focus back to the Campeonato Carioca, where they secured a more comfortable 3-0 win over Madureira in the first leg of the semifinals. The match against Madureira also featured a milestone moment, as Arrascaeta celebrated his 100th goal for Flamengo.
Flamengo now faces the challenge of regrouping and overcoming their current performance issues as they pursue success in their state championship and other competitions later in the year.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
