Flamengo has secured its spot as the champion of the Taça Guanabara, dominating Maricá last Saturday (February 22) and ensuring their place in the semifinals of the Campeonato Carioca 2025. Flamengo's overwhelming performance left Maricá, who previously led the competition for several rounds, finishing the tournament in tenth place. With their qualification confirmed, Flamengo was merely left to discover who would be their significant adversary for the next phase of the state tournament.
On Sunday (February 23), Flamengo learned they would face their biggest rival, Vasco da Gama, following Vasco's dramatic victory against Botafogo, which secured their own spot in the semifinals. This match-up adds yet another chapter to the storied rivalry known as the "Clássico dos Milhões."
After facing intense scrutiny about their recent performances, Vasco clinched fourth place overall, managing to stave off criticisms from their fan base. Head coach Fábio Carille's team had struggled during the final stages of the tournament but came alive when it mattered most, beating their rivals amid high stakes.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal features Volta Redonda, who finished second, paired with third-place Fluminense. Volta Redonda will have the advantage of home court during the decisive match, giving them the opportunity to capitalize on their loyal fanbase. The fixtures for the semifinals are yet to be announced, but preliminary dates for the initial matches are set for March 1-2, with return matches slated for March 8-9.
Fluminense's road to the semifinals also proved challenging. Earlier on Sunday (February 23), they managed to edge out Bangu with a tight 3-2 victory at Maracanã Stadium, marking their advancement to the playoffs. Fluminense’s win was riddled with ups and downs, showcasing their resilience as they overcame early struggles and jitters to claim victory.
The match started precariously for the Tricolor, who initially struggled to find their footing. With multiple attempts to open scoring, including chances for Samuel Xavier and Germán Cano, the team seemed tentative. The breakthrough came at the 14-minute mark when Bangu’s defender Juan Sánchez inadvertently scored an own goal, propelling Fluminense to lead 1-0.
Following this, Fluminense slowed their momentum, allowing Bangu back onto the offensive, yet Bangu could not find the target effectively. The equalizer finally came as Bangu’s Freytes again found the net—this time on the wrong side, as he deflected the ball back past Fluminense's goalkeeper.
Into the second half, Fluminense made adjustments and found renewed energy. They regained the lead through Kevin Serna's left-side assist to Canobbio and continued pushing forward. A goal from Serna soon followed, but just as victory seemed secured, Freytes committed yet another mistake by conceding a penalty, allowing Bangu to score their second and narrow Fluminense's lead.
Both teams pressed for goals as they traded chances. Yet, Fluminense maintained the lead, culminating their spirited effort with the final score of 3-2.
With Fluminense finishing third with 17 points, they are set to square off against Volta Redonda, who holds the home advantage due to their higher ranking throughout the tournament. Fluminense's progression emphasizes their determination, especially after struggling early on. Meanwhile, Bangu, already facing relegation, will have the opportunity to regroup as they look forward to the Copa Rio and Carioca Série A2, seeking promotion back to the top level next year.
The excitement surrounding the Campeonato Carioca 2025 playoffs continues to build as teams vie for supremacy. With classic matchups such as Vasco vs. Flamengo and Volta Redonda vs. Fluminense, fans are eager to witness fierce competition and potential upsets throughout this historic tournament.