On Sunday afternoon (5), Flamengo and Vasco met at Maracanã. In a game with red-black dominance and chances created by both sides, Cruzmaltino came out victorious. The only goal of the match was scored by Rodríguez.

The result does not change the Mais Querido's position in the table. Already qualified for the semifinals of the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo maintains its lead in the first phase. The next red-black match is against Fluminense, on Wednesday (8), at Maracanã.

The game

As expected, the Clássico dos Milhões started off electrifying. Flamengo took the initiative and cornered Vasco from the opening moments. Just two minutes into the game, Arrascaeta beat the defense, fired a shot from outside the box, and hit the foot of the opposing goalpost. In the tenth minute, the Uruguayan found Gabi between the defenders with a beautiful backheel pass. The number ten shot from inside the box, forcing Léo Jardim to make a good save. The Cruzmaltino slowed down the pace of the match by exchanging passes in midfield, but were unable to create space in the red-and-black defense. The "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved) once again dominated the attacking play even before the technical timeout. Thiago Maia, David Luiz, and Everton Ribeiro took chances from outside the box, posing a threat to the Vasco goal. The opponent tried to break away on the counterattack and managed to hit the crossbar on one occasion, but failed to create any real danger. Five minutes before halftime, Gerson threatened with a low shot from long range. In the last play of the first half, David Luiz took a free kick from the edge of the box and hit the wall.

Flamengo reached the halfway point of the Clásico with 62% possession and 14 shots on goal. For the second half, Vitor Pereira brought on Everton Cebolinha in place of Thiago Maia, who was injured.

Vasco opened the scoring three minutes into the second half, with a powerful shot from outside the box by Rodríguez. The goal didn't dampen the Flamengo's momentum—quite the opposite. Flamengo increased their attacking intensity and, in the following two minutes, created two good chances through Gerson and Gabi. In the 15th minute, Cebolinha took a free kick into the box, and the Vasco defense nearly scored an own goal, but the ball hit the post. Vitor Pereira made another change, bringing on Matheuzinho and Matheus França in place of Everton Ribeiro and Varela. Twenty-three minutes into the second half, the referee awarded a penalty to Vasco. Pedro Raul took the shot, but Santos saved it. The north end of the Maracanã was ignited by the number 23's stunning save and rekindled the spirits of the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved). Matheus Gonçalves came on in place of Vidal, giving the team an even more attacking approach in search of an equalizer. Cebolinha forced Léo Jardim into a good save in the 1th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box. In the 34st minute, Gabi fired a low shot, again demanding the Cruzmaltino goalkeeper.

Despite the red-black dominance, the score did not change again.