Match Centre

Flamengo's 1-0 win was deserved based on the balance of play, with their higher xG (1.72 vs 1.04) reflecting greater threat creation despite Fluminense's majority possession (57%). Flamengo outshot their opponents 17 to 12, with six on target compared to Fluminense's four, showcasing a more clinical edge. The decisive moment came in the 65th minute through Jorge Carrascal, assisted by Lucas Paquetá, capitalising on one of their eight shots inside the box.

Fluminense's control of the ball (558 total passes to Flamengo's 426) didn't translate into high-quality chances, with only seven shots inside the box. Their four yellow cards highlighted mounting frustration as they struggled to break down Flamengo's organised defence, which blocked four shots and made four saves. Flamengo's efficiency in exploiting limited possession was key, with their four corners yielding more opportunities than Fluminense's two.

The most telling stat was Flamengo's xG advantage (1.72 to 1.04), underscoring their superior efficiency in a tightly contested match.