Flamengo beat Pyramids 2–0 in Doha, secured a spot in the Intercontinental final, lifted the Challenger Cup and did something even more important than winning a decisive match, it showed control and maturity. This was a Flamengo side that knew exactly what it needed to do, superior from start to finish and efficient in using a tool that’s part of its attacking repertoire, well executed set pieces. The result puts Filipe Luís’ team face to face with PSG and takes the club back to a stage it knows well, but one that demands more than just a famous jersey.
A match controlled from possession to pressure
Flamengo started by valuing possession, moving the ball patiently and occupying the attacking half. It wasn’t sterile control. There was intent, movement and players attacking the box. Early on, Plata crossed into the area, the goalkeeper spilled it, and Cebolinha nearly opened the scoring on the rebound. It was a clear warning that the team wasn’t there to manage the situation, but to build an advantage.
Without the ball, the approach was just as aggressive. The lines pushed up, the press clicked high up the field and Pyramids spent long stretches struggling to escape their own defensive third. The Egyptian side only found brief relief when they managed a turnover and a direct ball forward, even then without much continuity.
The opening goal came in the 23rd minute and summed up the game plan perfectly. A free kick from the left, Arrascaeta delivered it on point and Léo Pereira attacked the space like someone who works on that play every week. A clean header, no chance for the goalkeeper. More than making it 1–0, the goal reinforced the sense of control. Flamengo kept circling the box, Arrascaeta pulled off an individual move and missed a clear chance, but the match was firmly under red and black control.
The only real scare came in first half stoppage time, when Mayele won a footrace and went one on one with Rossi. The keeper stood his ground, well positioned, and preserved the lead. An isolated moment in the middle of 45 minutes of dominance.
Set pieces as a weapon, not a crutch
The second half opened with Pyramids trying to be more aggressive, pushing higher and looking to get numbers into the box. Flamengo’s response was immediate. Another free kick from Arrascaeta, another well timed run, and Danilo rose to head the ball into the corner for 2–0. Once again, a set piece. Once again, flawless execution.
There’s an important distinction to make here. Some teams rely on this kind of play because they lack alternatives. That wasn’t the case. Flamengo created, controlled and chose the smartest way to kill the game. The set pieces were a result of superiority, not the only plan.
With the cushion, the tempo naturally dropped. Flamengo moved the ball, ran down the clock and started thinking about what was ahead. Filipe Luís managed the bench well, protected key players and still got some good news. Pedro returned after 52 days out, came on with energy and nearly scored in stoppage time, denied by a solid save from El Shenawy.
The final whistle sealed more than just qualification. Flamengo lifted the Challenger Cup, confirmed its place in the Intercontinental final and gained confidence ahead of the showdown with PSG. It won’t be easy, no one is pretending it will be. But in Doha, Flamengo showed it didn’t reach this final by chance. It got there by knowing how to play a big game like a big club.