Cruzeiro vs Flamengo preview

Brazil flag 2026 Serie A, Brazil
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto
Serie A
CruzeiroCRZ
2 1
FlamengoFLA
Full Time
Round 24 Regular Season
Keny Arroyo - 55'
Matheus Pereira - 90+5'
Goal
|
Goal
Pedro - 22'

CONTEXT

Cruzeiro hosted Flamengo in a match that saw the home side overcome an early deficit to claim a 2-1 victory. Trailing 0-1 at halftime, Cruzeiro mounted a strong second-half response that flipped the scoreline despite Flamengo holding a slight edge in possession at 52 percent to 48 percent. The stronger team designation went to Flamengo yet the outcome favored Cruzeiro whose xG of 1.41 edged the visitors 1.01 by a differential of 0.4. No red cards disrupted proceedings for either side leaving both teams at full complement. The result proved consistent with underlying metrics and reflected a significant deviation achieved by Cruzeiro from pre-match projections.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Cruzeiro recorded a significant structural deviation from pre-match expectations.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency metrics remained in line with the overall performance levels observed.
  • xG alignment: The final result proved consistent with the xG figures of 1.41 for Cruzeiro and 1.01 for Flamengo.
  • Market alignment: The outcome aligned with market projections despite the stronger team designation for Flamengo.
  • xG expectations: Cruzeiro exceeded xG expectations by converting limited chances into a 2-1 victory.
  • Event impact: The second half adjustments allowed Cruzeiro to overcome the halftime deficit of 0-1.
  • Red card distortion: Absence of red cards meant no distortion affected the game's flow or team strategies.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
R. Pereira de Lima
R. Pereira de Lima
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
D. Simon Manis
D. Simon Manis
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
N. Oliveira
N. Oliveira
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
P. Alves Júnior
P. Alves Júnior
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Cruzeiro Artur Jorge
Artur Jorge
VS
Flamengo J. Nunes Alves Sousa Jardim
J. Nunes Alves Sousa Jardim
1.75
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2.1
2.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Corinthians Rank: 68 W
Mirassol Rank: 66 W
Coritiba Rank: 63 W
Botafogo Rank: 65 L
Internacional Rank: 63 W
Fluminense Rank: 68 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Mirassol Rank: 64 W
Vitória Rank: 62 W
Internacional Rank: 63 D
São Paulo Rank: 63 D
Chapecoense Rank: 52 W
Coritiba Rank: 59 W
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 1 - 3
3

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
69.14
76.35
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Cruzeiro
Flamengo
Power Score
69.14
76.35
League Position
5
2
Global Rank
272
119

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Cruzeiro — Opponent-weighted form score
Flamengo — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Cruzeiro Flamengo

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Cruzeiro

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Flamengo

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Cruzeiro ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Flamengo
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
27.66
18.21
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
18.21
27.66
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Cruzeiro +0.78 Efficiency Index
vs
Flamengo -0.78 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Cruzeiro
Flamengo
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Cruzeiro
vs
Flamengo
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Cruzeiro Flamengo
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
13%
6%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.18 vs -0.06
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Cruzeiro Flamengo
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
6%
13%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.06 vs -0.18
Cruzeiro
Flamengo
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Cruzeiro
vs
Flamengo
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Cruzeiro Flamengo
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Cruzeiro 0.28
Flamengo 0.24
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Cruzeiro Flamengo
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Cruzeiro 0.03
Flamengo 0.03
Cruzeiro
Flamengo
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • CRZ had peak pressure around 98'.
  • FLA started the game with stronger pressure.
CRZ Pressure FLA Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: CRZ reached the top pressure at 98' (79.06).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 5 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Cruzeiro CRZ Home
5 matches
Flamengo FLA Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
1
Draws
1
3
Losses
1
Goals
3
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
3
-3
Goal Difference
+3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-23T00:57:13+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026 Serie A, Brazil · Round 24 · Regular Season
Stadium
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto
Capacity
62170
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima
Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis
Nailton Oliveira
Paulo Roberto Alves Júnior

Statistics

Possession
CRZ
49%
FLA
51%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 1
0 Big Chances Created 2
11 Shots 6
57 Dangerous attacks 52
48 Possession 52
3 Corners 3
7 Free kicks 13
3 Yellow Cards 1

Match Overview

77 Ball Safe 100
9 Goal Kicks 14
18 Goal Attempts 8
5 Substitutions 5
25 Throwins 8
1 Successful Headers 4
0 Assists 1
21 Dribble Attempts 14
14 Successful Dribbles 8
67 Successful Dribbles Percentage 57

Attacking

126 Attacks 109
0 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

24 Long Passes 45
497 Passes 562
439 Successful Passes 505
88 Successful Passes Percentage 90
21 Key Passes 13
10 Successful Long Passes 29
42 Successful Long Passes Percentage 64

Defensive

2 Saves 4
16 Tackles 13
12 Interceptions 10
43 Duels Won 43

Build-up

24 Total Crosses 11
8 Accurate Crosses 3

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
13 Fouls 7

Lineup

Referee : Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima

Starting XI ▼

81
Otávio Costa
Otávio Costa Goalkeeper
6.35
15
Fabrício Bruno
Fabrício Bruno Defender
6.64
23
Fagner
Fagner Defender
6.56
25
Lucas Villalba
Lucas Villalba Defender
6.33
43
João Marcelo
João Marcelo Defender
6.18
7
Matheus Henrique
Matheus Henrique Midfielder
6.98
5
Zé Lucas
Zé Lucas
Midfielder86'
10
Matheus Pereira
Matheus Pereira Midfielder
6.9
29
Lucas Romero
Lucas Romero (C) Midfielder
6.68
8
Gerson
Gerson
Midfielder75'
67
João Costa
João Costa Midfielder
6.49
20
Wesley
Wesley
Attacker46'
6.58
99
Keny Arroyo
Keny Arroyo Midfielder
7.8
70
Kaique Kenji
Kaique Kenji
Attacker75'
19
Kaio Jorge
Kaio Jorge Attacker
6.82
22
Néiser Villarreal
Néiser Villarreal
Midfielder76'
Referee : Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima

Starting XI ▼

1
Agustín Rossi
Agustín Rossi Goalkeeper
6.62
2
Guillermo Varela
Guillermo Varela Defender
6.68
3
Léo Ortiz
Léo Ortiz Defender
6.96
6
Ayrton Lucas
Ayrton Lucas Defender
6.54
13
Danilo
Danilo Defender
6.93
5
Erick Pulgar
Erick Pulgar Midfielder
6.68
52
Evertton Araújo
Evertton Araújo
Midfielder72'
10
Giorgian de Arrascaeta
Giorgian de Arrascaeta (C) Midfielder
7.39
21
Jorginho
Jorginho
Midfielder63'
15
Jorge Carrascal
Jorge Carrascal Midfielder
6.74
16
Samuel Lino
Samuel Lino Midfielder
7.25
19
Gonzalo Plata
Gonzalo Plata
Attacker63'
20
Lucas Paquetá
Lucas Paquetá Midfielder
6.7
27
Bruno Henrique
Bruno Henrique
Attacker72'
9
Pedro
Pedro Attacker
7.11
7
Luiz Araújo
Luiz Araújo
Attacker83'

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Matheus Pereira
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
90+5'
Event
Zé Lucas → Matheus Henrique
10th Substitution
86'
Event
Wesley
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
86'
83'
Event
Luiz Araújo → Pedro
9th Substitution
82'
Event
Bruno Henrique 
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Néiser Villarreal → Kaio Jorge 
8th Substitution
76'
Event
Gerson → Lucas Romero
6th Substitution
75'
Event
Kaique Kenji → Keny Arroyo
7th Substitution
75'
72'
Event
Evertton Araújo → Erick Pulgar
4th Substitution
72'
Event
Bruno Henrique  → Lucas Paquetá
5th Substitution
63'
Event
Jorginho → Giorgian de Arrascaeta
2nd Substitution
63'
Event
Gonzalo Plata → Samuel Lino
3rd Substitution
Event
Keny Arroyo
Left foot shot / 2nd Goal
55'
Event
Wesley → João Costa
1st Substitution
46'
1ST-HALF
Event
João Marcelo
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
36'
22'
Event
Pedro
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
Event
Fabrício Bruno
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
20'

Match Commentary

90
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Matheus Pereira scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Lucas Villalba.
90
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Matheus Pereira scores, making it 2-1.
90
Attempt Attempt
Fagner Conserva Lemos takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
90
Attempt Attempt
Jorge Carrascal takes a right-footed shot but misses.
90
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Pereira takes a left-footed shot but misses.
90
Attempt Attempt
Wesley Gassova takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
90
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Henrique Pinto takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
90
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Henrique Pinto takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
89
Attempt Attempt
Fagner Conserva Lemos takes a right-footed shot but misses.
88
Attempt Attempt
Fagner Conserva Lemos takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
86
Update Update
On comes Ze Lucas, off goes Matheus Henrique.
86
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Wesley Gassova receives a yellow card.
86
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Pereira takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
85
Update Update
Jorge Luiz Frello Filho, known as Jorginho, misses with a header.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
83
Update Update
Luiz De Araujo Guimaraes Neto comes on for Pedro Guilherme Abreu dos Santos.
82
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Bruno Henrique Pinto receives a yellow card.
81
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Bruno Henrique Pinto.
79
Attempt Attempt
Fagner Conserva Lemos takes a right-footed shot but misses.
77
Attempt Attempt
Joao Marcelo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
76
Update Update
On for Neiser Villareal, off is Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos.
75
Attempt Attempt
Joao Marcelo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
75
Update Update
Gerson Santos da Silva is on, and Lucas Daniel Romero is off.
74
Attempt Attempt
Ayrton Dantas de Medeiros takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
73
Attempt Attempt
Evertton Araujo takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
72
Update Update
Evertton Araujo comes on for Eric Pulgar.
72
Update Update
Bruno Henrique Pinto replaces Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima.
71
Attempt Attempt
Wesley Gassova takes a right-footed shot but misses.
68
Attempt Attempt
Lucas Villalba takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
63
Update Update
On Jorge Luiz Frello Filho,Jorginho，Off Giorgian De Arrascaeta Benedetti
63
Update Update
Gonzalo Jordy Plata Jimenez comes on for Samuel Dias Lino.
62
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Henrique takes a right-footed shot but misses.
62
Attempt Attempt
Fabricio Bruno Soares De Faria takes a right-footed shot but misses.
58
Attempt Attempt
Keny Arroyo takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
58
Attempt Attempt
Pedro Guilherme Abreu dos Santos takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Keny Arroyo scores, making it 1-1.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Keny Arroyo scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Matheus Henrique.
53
Attempt Attempt
Lucas Daniel Romero takes a right-footed shot but misses.
49
Attempt Attempt
Giorgian De Arrascaeta Benedetti takes a right-footed shot but misses.
46
Update Update
Wesley Gassova is on, and Joao Costa is off.
45
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Henrique takes a right-footed shot but misses.
39
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
38
Attempt Attempt
Matheus Pereira takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
36
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Joao Marcelo receives a yellow card.
33
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Leonardo Rech Ortiz Head Shot Missed
30
Attempt Attempt
Joao Costa takes a left-footed shot but misses.
24
Attempt Attempt
Joao Costa takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
24
Update Update
Offside.
22
Update Update
Offside.
22
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot from Pedro Guilherme Abreu dos Santos with his right foot results in a goal.
22
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Pedro Guilherme Abreu dos Santos scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Giorgian De Arrascaeta Benedetti.
20
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Fabricio Bruno Soares De Faria.
18
Attempt Attempt
Pedro Guilherme Abreu dos Santos takes a right-footed shot but misses.
12
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
10
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
9
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
9
Attempt Attempt
Kaio Jorge Pinto Ramos takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
8
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
7
Attempt Attempt
Jorge Carrascal takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
5
Attempt Attempt
Keny Arroyo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
3
Attempt Attempt
Jorge Carrascal takes a right-footed shot but misses.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima.

CONCLUSION

Cruzeiro's 2-1 triumph over Flamengo demonstrated how halftime deficits can be erased through targeted adjustments and clinical finishing. Despite entering as underdogs against the stronger away side the home team leveraged a modest xG advantage to secure three points. Possession favored Flamengo yet failed to translate into sustained pressure once Cruzeiro leveled and then took the lead. The absence of dismissals kept tactical options open for both coaches throughout the ninety minutes. This performance underscored the value of second-half resilience when metrics already pointed toward a competitive balance. Fans witnessed a classic comeback that aligned closely with expected goal trends and reinforced the importance of maintaining composure after falling behind early.