Does Erick Pulgar play today? Where to watch Flamengo x Cruz Azul today for the Intercontinental Cup

Flamengo faces Cruz Azul this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in the quarterfinals of Copa Intercontinental FIFA. The match takes place at 5pm UTC at Estádio Ahmed bin Ali, at Al Rayyan, at Qatar, bringing together champions from Libertadores and Concacaf Champions Cup. Erick Pulgar returns to the starting lineup after recovering from a minor ankle injury, strengthening the red-black midfield.

Filipe Luís, coach of Flamengo, opted for a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation for the duel. The starting lineup includes Rossi in goal, Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro in defense, with Pulgar and Jorginho in contention. De Arrascaeta, Carrascal and Samuel Lino support Bruno Henrique in attack.

The Chilean Pulgar, aged 32, played 28 games in Brasileirão 2025 and registered 1,200 successful passes during the season. Sua presence adds experience in aerial duels and ball recovery, an average of 6.2 per match.

• Main reinforcements in the lineup: Pulgar (midfield), Léo Ortiz (defender) and Bruno Henrique (captain).
• Tactical formation: 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on quick transitions.
• Reserve bank: Matheus Cunha, Dyogo Alves, Everton Araújo, De La Cruz and Pedro.

Embezzlements in Cruz Azul impact Mexican defense

Cruz Azul arrives at the clash with absences at the rear that require tactical adjustments. Jesús Orozco, starting defender, will not play due to a broken ankle suffered in the Liga MX semi-final. Andrés Montaño, midfielder with a knee injury, is also out of the trip to Qatar.

Nicolás Larcamón, Mexican coach, confirms Andrés Gudiño in goal and a line of three defenders with Willer Ditta, Erik Lira and Gonzalo Piovi. In the middle, Lorenzo Faravelli and Jeremy Márquez control the pace, while Omar Campos and Rotondi play on the flanks in a flexible 3-4-3.

Gabriel Fernández leads the attack alongside José Rivero and Ángel Sepúlveda, who have scored 22 goals in Concacaf 2025. The Mexican team won 12 of 17 games in Apertura, but conceded 1.4 goals per game in recent knockout stages.

The team trained at México with a focus on dead balls, exploiting the defenders’ average height of 1.82m. Larcamón plans an early marking to neutralize Arrascaeta and Pulgar in the center of the field.

History and preparation of teams for Doha

Flamengo accumulates experience in global competitions with runners-up in 2019 and 2022 in the Mundial. The Rio club won the Libertadores 2025 by beating Palmeiras 1-0 in the November final, with a goal from Danilo. No Brasileirão, scored 78 points and won the title 1-0 over Ceará.

Cruz Azul celebrated the seventh Concacaf Champions Cup title in June, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 at home. The team has lost just three of its last 24 games in all competitions, implementing a system that prioritizes mobile wingbacks.

Both delegations disembarked at Doha on Monday, December 8, to acclimatize to the time zone and the 28°C heat. Flamengo used the Aspire Academy for light training, simulating possession of the ball on an artificial lawn. Cruz Azul opted for Education City Stadium for finishing sessions.

Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg commands the game, assisted by Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Söderkvist. Nyberg applies rigor to tactical fouls, averaging 4.2 cards per match in FIFA tournaments.

Where to watch Derby from Américas live

The match broadcast reaches multiple audiences with varied options. No Brasil, TV Globo shows open at 2pm on Brasília, with complete coverage. SporTV broadcasts on pay-per-view, including pre-match tactical debates.

Free streaming via FIFA+ requires registration and offers narration in English and Spanish. CazéTV on YouTube covers the Brazilian audience at no cost, with Casimiro Miguel narrating. GE TV integrates real-time analysis through the app.

Nos Estados Unidos, Fanatiz USA and beIN Sports exhibit for the North American market. No Qatar, local time is 8pm, accessible via regional channels like Al Kass. Globoplay includes the paid option in Brasil, with replays available post-match.

Platforms like Sofascore provide live statistics such as ball possession and shots. The winner advances to the semi-final against Pyramids FC on Saturday 13 December.

Tactical strategies with Pulgar in mid command

Filipe Luís adopts 4-2-3-1 for Flamengo, with Pulgar anchoring alongside Jorginho in direct duels. The Chilean recovers balls in high areas, averaging 2.8 interceptions per game, allowing Arrascaeta to advance with freedom. Bruno Henrique exploits diagonals, scoring 14 goals this season.

Cruz Azul responds with a reactive 3-4-1-2, limiting central spaces where Pulgar operates. Ditta organizes the defense, but absences expose full-backs to crosses from Varela and Alex Sandro. Larcamón accelerates in the second half, a period in which the team balances 70% of the games.

Projections indicate 55% possession for Flamengo and over 2.5 goals with odds of 1.95. The annual FIFA tournament distributes prizes per phase, valuing intercontinental advances. Nyberg penalizes simulations, benefiting the direct red-black style.

Final preparation and expectations at Qatar

The teams finalize adjustments in Doha with a focus on hydration. Flamengo performs daily massages to preserve intensity, recording only 27 goals conceded in Brasileirão. Cruz Azul emphasizes counterattacks, with Fernández on 16 converted shots.

Tickets cost 50 to 200 Qatari riyals, equivalent to R$70-280, sold on the FIFA website. Capacidade than 45 thousand fans fill the stadium, with fans organized in separate sectors. Enhanced Segurança manages fan flow.

Flamengo is seeking its second intercontinental title, while Cruz Azul is aiming for its first since 1971. The dry climate favors open games, with an average of 2.3 goals in duels in the Ahmed bin Ali.