São Paulo Stuns Flamengo With Second-Half Comeback Win

Morumbi Stadium was alive with anticipation on Wednesday night as São Paulo and Flamengo squared off in the long-awaited opening round of the 2026 Brasileirão. With kickoff set for 21:30 Brasília time, fans of both sides packed the stands, eager to witness the start of a new chapter in Brazil’s top-flight football. The stakes were high: São Paulo, having finished eighth in the 2025 Brazilian Championship and narrowly missing out on the Libertadores qualifying zone, were determined to set a new tone for the season. On the other side, Flamengo arrived as defending champions, primed to launch their title defense with a statement performance.

Flamengo entered the fixture boasting a squad packed with both experience and fresh faces. The club had managed to retain key names like Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Carrascal, and head coach Filipe Luis, all crucial to their recent successes. The off-season also brought significant reinforcements, most notably 25-year-old central defender Vitão from Internacional—a major coup in the transfer market. Former Juventus stalwart Alex Sandro took the armband from left-back, with ex-Tottenham right-back Emerson Royal also starting. The squad was riding the high of their Copa Libertadores triumph over Palmeiras in November, and rumors swirled that a deal for Lucas Paqueta from West Ham was close to completion. Yet, injuries left Flamengo without Sanilo, Luiz Araújo, Nicolas de la Cruz, and Saúl Ñíguez, slightly thinning their options.

São Paulo, meanwhile, were not without their own challenges. Coach Crespo, determined to fortify his defense, opted for a back three featuring Alan Franco, Arboleda, and Sabino. The home side was missing André, Luan Santos, and Francisco due to injury, but welcomed Lucas Moura back into the squad—though the veteran would start on the bench. The lineup reflected a blend of tactical caution and attacking intent, with hopes pinned on a strong start to their campaign.

The match was broadcast live on Globo (free-to-air TV), GE TV (YouTube), and Premiere (pay-per-view), making it accessible to fans across Brazil and, thanks to international streaming options highlighted by platforms like Fanatiz and Premier Sports, to viewers worldwide. For those abroad, VPN guides were circulating, ensuring no supporter missed out on the opening drama.

The opening forty-five minutes were a tense chess match, with both teams probing for weaknesses but struggling to find the breakthrough. Flamengo, true to their champion pedigree, controlled much of the possession and tempo. Yet, despite their dominance, genuine threats to São Paulo’s goalkeeper Rafael were few and far between. The best early chance for Flamengo came when Cebolinha threaded a beautiful pass to Carrascal, who found himself one-on-one with Rafael. The Colombian, however, sent his shot wide, letting the home crowd breathe a collective sigh of relief. São Paulo responded in kind, with Luciano carving out a chance in the area, only for his effort to be blocked by Léo Pereira, the ball trickling agonizingly close to the post.

As halftime approached, the sense grew that a single moment of brilliance could tip the balance. It was only after the interval that the floodgates finally opened. Flamengo struck first, igniting the away section with a well-crafted goal. Pedro, showing composure and vision, chested a long ball down into the path of Plata, who made no mistake with his finish. The goal was a reward for Flamengo’s sustained pressure and looked to set the champions on course for an opening-day victory.

But São Paulo were in no mood to roll over. Their response was swift and emphatic. Just minutes after falling behind, the hosts found their equalizer. Enzo Díaz whipped in a teasing cross from the left, and Luciano rose above the defense to power a header past Flamengo’s keeper, sending Morumbi into raptures. The momentum had swung, and São Paulo smelled blood.

With the crowd roaring them on, São Paulo pressed for a winner. The breakthrough came courtesy of Danielzinho, who capitalized on a moment of indecision in the Flamengo defense. Luciano, once again at the heart of the action, sent a dangerous cross into the box. Pulgar’s attempted clearance fell kindly to Danielzinho, who kept his cool and slotted home to complete the turnaround. The stadium erupted, the noise echoing the significance of the moment—not just a goal, but a statement of intent for the season ahead.

Flamengo, stunned by the rapid reversal, turned to their bench for answers. Arrascaeta, one of the club’s marquee names, was summoned for his 2026 debut, hoping to inject fresh creativity into the attack. Despite the change, São Paulo’s defense held firm. The visitors’ best chance to level came late on when Bruno Henrique rose highest to meet a cross, his header forcing Rafael into a spectacular save that preserved the home side’s slender lead.

It’s worth noting the historical context: not one of the last 18 meetings between these two giants had ended goalless, and this encounter was no exception. The match lived up to its billing, delivering drama, goals, and a narrative twist that will linger in the memory of fans. For São Paulo, the victory was a much-needed boost after a disappointing end to their previous campaign. For Flamengo, the loss was a wake-up call, a reminder that defending a title is never a straightforward task—especially against hungry, well-prepared opponents.

Coach Crespo’s tactical gamble paid off, his three-man defense withstood Flamengo’s pressure, and his decision to keep Lucas Moura in reserve gave São Paulo an extra gear in the closing stages. “We knew we had to respond after conceding,” Crespo was quoted as saying after the match. “The players showed great character and belief.”

As for Flamengo, coach Filipe Luis remained philosophical in defeat. “We controlled much of the game, but football is about moments. São Paulo took their chances, and we must learn from this,” he told reporters.

The opening round of the 2026 Brasileirão has already thrown up a compelling storyline. São Paulo’s comeback win over the reigning champions sets the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested season. Both teams will look to build on this performance—São Paulo with renewed confidence, Flamengo with a point to prove. The journey has just begun, and if this match is anything to go by, fans are in for a thrilling ride.