Flamengo Suffers Heavy 3-0 Defeat to Volta Redonda in Campeonato Carioca

On January 17, 2026, Flamengo faced a stark setback in the third round of the Campeonato Carioca, suffering a 3-0 defeat against Volta Redonda at Estádio Raulino de Oliveira. Flamengo, fielding primarily youth players, including their under-20 squad due to the absence of key first-team stars like Filipe Luís, struggled throughout the match. Their campaign remains winless in 2026, having only managed a single point in the tournament so far.

The match began with Flamengo seemingly on the attack, as Douglas Telles scored an early goal, but it was disallowed for offside following VAR review. The game then turned decisively against Flamengo when Carbone was sent off in the first ten minutes after receiving two yellow cards, leaving Flamengo to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. This numerical disadvantage allowed Volta Redonda to capitalize; MV opened the scoring at the 16-minute mark assisted by Ygor Catatau.

In the second half, Volta Redonda extended their lead with a header from Rafael Castro and later a goal by Dener, cementing the 3-0 victory. Another potential Volta Redonda goal by Catatau was disallowed due to offside. Flamengo struggled to break through Volta Redonda’s defense and were unable to respond despite some attempts.

This defeat puts Volta Redonda at the top of Group A with six points, while Flamengo is positioned fifth in Group B with only one point, just above Maricá and Sampaio Corrêa. Flamengo's recent form has been disappointing, having also lost 2-1 to Bangu earlier in the tournament. Looking ahead, Flamengo plans to include some of their main players in the upcoming matches to improve results, starting with a high-profile clash against Vasco on January 21, 2026.