On a night that will long be remembered in Salvador, Bahia finally broke their long-standing curse against Flamengo, clinching a tense 1-0 victory in the 27th round of the Brasileirão-2025 at the Casa de Apostas Arena Fonte Nova. For the Tricolor faithful, this wasn’t just another win—it was a cathartic release after a dozen straight defeats to the Rubro-Negro and a milestone for coach Rogério Ceni, who celebrated his first-ever triumph over Flamengo as a manager after 16 painful attempts.
The game’s drama unfolded in front of a raucous crowd, with Bahia’s Willian José delivering the decisive blow just before half-time. His low, venomous strike past Rossi at the 44th minute sent the home supporters into a frenzy. As the stadium erupted, the sense of history in the making was unmistakable. “Bahia had been preparing for this moment, and this goal felt like the ultimate reward,” as one report put it.
Yet, the night’s narrative was shaped as much by discipline—or the lack thereof—as by skillful play. Flamengo’s troubles began early when Danilo was dismissed in the 13th minute for a reckless high kick to Tiago’s face. The straight red card left the visitors reeling and forced coach Filipe Luís into a tactical reshuffle, pulling striker Pedro off in favor of bolstering the defense with Clayton. That early setback flipped Flamengo’s plans upside down, and Bahia seized the initiative, dictating the tempo and keeping their rivals on the back foot.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Flamengo did carve out a golden opportunity when Arrascaeta set up Samuel Lino for a one-on-one with Bahia’s Ronaldo. The home goalkeeper, however, stood tall, denying what could have been a momentum-shifting goal. “Samuel Lino was set up by Arrascaeta, but Ronaldo said 'no',” noted one observer, capturing the tension of the moment.
Willian José’s goal, arriving at the cusp of half-time, was the product of relentless pressure. After Jean Lucas won a crucial tackle, he set up the striker, who made no mistake from close range. It was a finish that embodied Bahia’s hunger and determination. The timing could not have been better: just as Flamengo were hoping to regroup, they found themselves trailing and demoralized.
With his team down a goal and a man, Filipe Luís tried to inject life into Flamengo’s attack after the break. He made three substitutions at half-time, bringing on Plata, Luis Araújo, and Bruno Henrique in an attempt to add speed and unpredictability. Lino, whose confidence had visibly dipped, was among those sacrificed. Yet, the expected surge did not materialize. Even with fresh legs, Flamengo struggled to break free from Bahia’s suffocating control.
Bahia, meanwhile, thought they had doubled their advantage when Michel Araújo found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The hosts continued to press, sensing that this was their night to make history. Flamengo’s misery deepened in the 78th minute when Wallace Yan, a substitute who had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes, received a second yellow card for a foul on Gilberto. The Rubro-Negro were reduced to nine men, and any lingering hopes of a comeback faded into the humid Salvador air.
Even with two players down, Flamengo refused to capitulate. Léo Ortiz managed a late effort inside the area, but Bahia’s defense held firm. The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation among the home fans, who had waited so long for this moment. For Rogério Ceni, the victory was especially sweet—it was his first as a coach against the Rio giants, ending a personal run of 16 consecutive defeats.
The result had immediate ramifications in the league standings. Bahia climbed to fifth place with 43 points, drawing level with Botafogo and keeping themselves firmly in the hunt for continental qualification. Flamengo, meanwhile, remained on 55 points and lost their grip on the top spot to Palmeiras, who moved ahead thanks to a superior number of victories and a game in hand. The defeat also cast a shadow over Flamengo’s title ambitions, with questions swirling about their ability to handle adversity as the season enters its decisive phase.
It wasn’t just Bahia’s resilience that caught the eye. The Tricolor entered the match on a high, having recently secured the Copa do Nordeste and notched impressive wins over heavyweights like Palmeiras. Their momentum has become one of the stories of the season, with fans and pundits alike wondering just how far this group can go. “Bahia’s hot streak is drawing attention,” noted one report, highlighting their rise from underdogs to genuine contenders.
Flamengo, on the other hand, faced an evening of frustration and introspection. The absence of Saul, sidelined with physical ailments, left a gap that the visitors struggled to fill. Coach Filipe Luís’ post-match comments reflected the sense of missed opportunity and mounting pressure. “We tried everything, but playing outnumbered was too steep a mountain to climb,” he admitted, echoing the sentiments of a squad suddenly facing adversity on multiple fronts.
The match also reignited debates around officiating, with Flamengo’s director publicly criticizing the referee’s decisions and hinting at broader suspicions. The controversy added another layer to an already dramatic encounter, though Bahia’s fans were in no mood to let anything dampen their celebrations.
Looking ahead, both teams will pause for the upcoming FIFA international break before returning to crucial fixtures. Bahia are set to visit arch-rivals Vitória at Barradão on October 16, while Flamengo will face Botafogo at Nilton Santos a day earlier. With the title race and continental spots still wide open, every point will be precious as the Brasileirão enters its final stretch.
For now, though, the story belongs to Bahia—a team that defied history, adversity, and the odds to claim a night of glory at Arena Fonte Nova. Their fans, savoring every moment, can finally say: the drought is over.
