Vasco da Gama and Flamengo are set to clash today, March 1, 2025, at 17:45 (Brasília time), at the famed Estádio Nilton Santos for the first leg of the semifinals of the Campeonato Carioca. This highly anticipated match, often dubbed the Clássico dos Milhões due to the passionate rivalry, holds substantial stakes for both teams as they aim to secure a place in the final.
Both teams head onto the field with differing fortunes as they progress through the tournament. Flamengo arrives with confidence, boasting an unbeaten streak of eight matches. Their recent form includes seven wins, two losses, and two draws, having netted 25 goals and conceded only five. The team’s triumphant run has positioned them at the forefront of the Campeonato Carioca, especially after clinching the Taça Guanabara, the competition's first stage.
On the other hand, Vasco da Gama finished the preceding phase of the tournament ranked fourth. They secured their semifinal spot by narrowly defeating Botafogo 1-0. Throughout the Taça Guanabara, Vasco achieved four victories, five draws, and two losses, marking them as the underdogs. They have scored 13 goals and allowed six, reflecting their growth yet presenting challenges to overcome against the more established Flamengo.
Flamengo's head coach, Filipe Luís, faces significant personnel issues, having to deal with the absence of eight lads. The prominent absences include Pedro and Viña, both recovering from serious injuries, along with Cleiton, who is suspended due to disciplinary issues. Other players like Michael, Everton Cebolinha, Alex Sandro, and Juninho are still nursing injuries and won't participate. The returns of Ayrton Lucas and De la Cruz provide some relief, as they will be available after recovering from injuries.
Vasco also contends with its own set of challenges; their coach, Fábio Carille, will not have key players Paulinho, Adson, David, and Estrella, all sidelined due to injuries or suspensions. Nevertheless, enthusiasm surrounds the addition of new attack recruits—Benjamin Garré, Nuno Moreira, and Loide Augusto—who are eager to make impactful debuts against their fierce rivals.
The match will be broadcasted live on TV Globo, SporTV, and Premiere, ensuring fans have access to the gripping action. The buzz around the stadium promises to be electrifying as the teams battle for glory. Historical matchups between these two giants evoke even greater excitement: Flamengo leads the series with 160 victories to Vasco's 132, alongside 113 draws throughout their 405 encounters.
With both teams seeking bragging rights and a coveted spot in the final, the stakes could not be higher. Fans anticipate thrilling performances from both sides, especially with Flamengo seeking to extend their dominance and Vasco aiming to break their current winless streak against their rivals. Kick-off is set for 17:45, and football enthusiasts are eager for this showdown. Stay tuned for live updates as the teams battle it out on the pitch!