They are champions! Flamengo defeats Benfica and wins the Algarve Trophy in Portugal

CHAMPIONS! Flamengo defeats Benfica and wins the Algarve Trophy in Portugal.

With the unconditional support of the Flamengo fans on Portuguese soil, Mengão (Flamengo) overcame Benfica 2-1 and ended their European preseason with a title.

By Gabriel Segantini - in 11/07/2026 às 17:41

Flamengo won the Algarve Trophy by beating Benfica 2-1, this Saturday afternoon (11), at the Algarve Stadium, in Portugal. Superior for practically the entire match, the Rubro-Negro controlled the actions, created the best opportunities and secured the victory with goals from Samuel Lino and Wallace Yan.

The friendly marked the end of the series of commitments of the preseason in Portugal. Now, the Flamengo delegation returns to Brazil to conclude the preparation for the second half of the season. The last test will be against Olimpia-PAR, next Friday (17), at 20 pm, in Brasília.

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The game

Flamengo started the match imposing their rhythm, with high pressing and intensity from the first minutes. Just five minutes in, they regained possession in the attacking half, overwhelmed the opposing defense with quick passing, and Bruno Henrique fired a low shot from the edge of the box that was well saved by Trubin.

Next, Samuel Lino was released by Pulgar, sprinted forward and found himself one-on-one with the Benfica goalkeeper. The striker tried to chip Trubin, who deflected the ball for a corner. A minute later, Emerson Royal advanced down the right and unleashed a powerful shot, again saved by the Portuguese team's goalkeeper.

Flamengo's pressure continued throughout the first half. In the 30th minute, Pedro received a pass from Jorginho at the edge of the area, and with great skill, executed a backheel nutmeg on his marker and fired a shot that was met with another save from Trubin.

The persistence paid off in first-half stoppage time. Once again, the dynamic Emerson Royal surged down the right flank and delivered a perfect cross for Samuel Lino to finish into the back of the net: 1-0 Flamengo.

With the goal, the number 16 shirt wearer reached his eighth of the season and his 12th with the Sacred Mantle, in 66 matches. Emerson Royal, meanwhile, recorded his sixth assist for the club.

Before halftime, Benfica equalized with a penalty converted by Pavlidis: 1-1.

Flamengo returned for the second half maintaining control of the match. In the ninth minute, Pedro launched a lobbed pass to Samuel Lino, who volleyed powerfully. The ball went very close to the post and out of play.

The second goal came from a collective play built from the defensive field. Rossi started the attack, Johnny carried the ball with confidence, passed three defenders and switched the play. After a quick exchange of passes between João Victor, Emerson Royal and Samuel Lino, the number 16 found Wallace Yan free in the area. The Flamengo youth player finished with his first touch of the ball and put Flamengo back in the lead: 2-1.

Wallace Yan scored his second goal of the season, both in quick succession, after also finding the net against Lausanne last Wednesday. In total, the striker has nine goals in 51 games for Flamengo.

During the celebration, the Flamengo youth academy player paid tribute to another product of the club's youth system: Vinícius Júnior, whose birthday is the day after the match.

In the 36th minute, Rossi, who wasn't tested much, made a great save from Ivanovic's shot and then, in the following play, saved Flamengo again on a rebound from Prestianni, securing the red-and-black team's lead.

In stoppage time, Wallace Yan still had a chance to extend the lead. The striker surged forward from midfield, found himself one-on-one with Trubin and attempted a chip shot, but the goalkeeper managed to prevent the third goal.

In the 51st minute of the second half, the referee ended the match, confirming another victory for Flamengo on European soil. With a consistent and dominant performance, the Rubro-Negro lifted the Algarve Trophy, closing the preseason with another triumph and the conquest of the Algarve Trophy.

Benfica

Trubin; Alexander Bah, António Silva, Clément Lenglet (Gabriel Índio) and Samuel Dahl (José Neto); Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea (Manu Silva); Rafa Silva, Georgiy Sudakov (Kaminski) and Jaden Umeh (Prestianni); Vangelis Pavlidis (Ivanovic). Coach: Marco Silva.

Flamengo

Rossi; Emerson Royal, João Victor, Vitão and Johnny; Pulgar (Evertton Araújo), Jorginho (Saúl) and Luiz Araújo (Lorran); Bruno Henrique (Everton Cebolinha), Samuel Lino (Joshua) and Pedro (Wallace Yan). Coach: Leonardo Jardim.

Next appointment

Flamengo concludes its preparation for the second half of the season next Friday (17), at 20 pm, when it faces Olimpia-PAR, at the Mané Garrincha Stadium, in Brasília.