Pedro plays today? Where to watch Cruz Azul x Flamengo live today for the Intercontinental Cup By Carolina Costa
5 min read
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Flamengo debuts at Copa Intercontinental FIFA 2025 this Wednesday, December 10, against Cruz Azul, in the quarterfinals. The match starts at 5pm UTC at Estádio Ahmed bin Ali, at Al Rayyan, at Qatar, and brings together the champions of Libertadores and Concacaf Champions Cup in a duel called Pedro is listed in the delegation, but does not appear in the starting lineup due to a muscle injury in his left thigh, acting as an option on the bench.
Filipe Luís, red and black coach, confirms the 4-2-3-1 formation for the match. Rossi defends the goal, with Gonzalo Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro in defense. Erick Pulgar and Jorginho anchor the midfield, while De Arrascaeta, Carrascal and Samuel Lino support Bruno Henrique in attack.
Pedro, 28, played 24 games in the 2025 season and scored 16 goals before the injury suffered in November. Sua’s absence forces Bruno Henrique to centralize the attack, with the captain taking over the role in the area. The medical department evaluates a possible entry into the second half, depending on the evolution.
- Highlights in the lineup: Léo Ortiz (return in defense), Bruno Henrique (captain in attack) and Arrascaeta (creation).
- Tactical formation: 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on possession and counterattacks.
- Key reserves: Pedro, Nicolás De La Cruz, Michael and Everton Cebolinha.
Embezzlements in Cruz Azul force changes in the Mexican formation
Cruz Azul faces defensive limitations for the game against Qatar. Jesús Orozco, starting defender, does not play due to a broken ankle that occurred in the semifinal of the Liga MX against Tigres. Andrés Montaño, midfielder with a knee injury, is also out of the trip.
Nicolás Larcamón lines up Andrés Gudiño in goal and a defense of three with Willer Ditta, Erik Lira and In the middle, Lorenzo Faravelli and Jeremy Márquez set the pace, with Omar Campos and Rotondi on the flanks in a flexible 3-4-3.
Gabriel Fernández heads the attack alongside José Rivero and
Larcamón prioritizes dead ball training, taking advantage of the defenders’ average height of 1.82m. The strategy includes early marking to put pressure on midfielders Pulgar and Jorginho from the opening whistle.
Team history and arrival at Doha for acclimatization
Flamengo is playing in the World Cup with participations in 2019 and 2022. The Rio club won the Libertadores 2025 1-0 against Palmeiras in November, with a goal from Danilo. No Brasileirão, accumulated 78 points and the title by beating Ceará 1-0.
Cruz Azul lifted the seventh Concacaf Champions Cup title in June, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 at home. The team has lost just three of the last 24 games in different competitions, with a system that values mobile wingbacks.
The delegations disembarked at Doha on Monday, December 8, to adapt to the time zone and the 28°C. Flamengo used Aspire Academy for possession sessions on synthetic turf. Cruz Azul opted for Education City Stadium for finishing exercises and hydration.
Referee Glenn Nyberg, from Suécia, commands the duel with assistants Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Söderkvist. Nyberg applies an average of 4.2 cards per match in FIFA tournaments, focusing on tactical fouls and time losses.
Where to watch Derby from Américas live on Qatar
Match coverage includes broadcasts on Brasil and abroad for wide audiences. TV Globo shows open air at 2pm on Brasília, with programming from 1:45pm. SporTV broadcasts on pay-per-view, with comments from experts.
FIFA+ offers free streaming after registration, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, lasting three hours. CazéTV covers it on YouTube at no cost, narrated by Casimiro Miguel. GE TV integrates real-time updates through the app.
Nos Estados Unidos, Fanatiz USA and beIN Sports serve the local market. No Qatar, local time is 8pm, via regional channels as Al Kass. Globoplay includes a paid option with replays available right after the end.
Platforms like Sofascore provide live statistics including ball possession, shots and corners. The winner advances to the semi-final against Pyramids FC on December 13th.
Tactical strategies without Pedro in the red-black attack
Filipe Luís maintains the 4-2-3-1 in Flamengo, with Bruno Henrique acting as a false 9 to float and create spaces. De Arrascaeta distributes vertical balls, while Pulgar and Jorginho recover possession in medium zones, averaging 5.3 interceptions per game.
Cruz Azul adopts a reactive 3-4-1-2, closing the center to limit infiltrations from Samuel Lino and Carrascal. Ditta organizes the defense, but absences expose full-backs to crosses from Varela and Alex Sandro. Larcamón plans to accelerate in the second half, where the Mexican team balances 70% of the duels.
Estimates point to 57% possession for Flamengo and over 2.5 goals with odds of 1.93. FIFA’s annual format distributes prizes for stage advancement. Nyberg prohibits simulations, favoring fair play by the red and black.
Pedro, on the bench, could enter from the 60th minute onwards if the score allows, adding height to aerial balls. Sua average of 1.2 goals per 90 minutes this season reinforces his impact as a substitute.
Final preparation and logistics in Estádio Ahmed bin Ali
Teams complete adjustments in Doha with an emphasis on physical recovery. Flamengo applies massages and cryotherapy to preserve rhythm, having conceded just 27 goals in Brasileirão. Cruz Azul emphasizes quick transitions, with Fernández converting 16 shots in Concacaf.
Tickets range from 50 to 200 Qatari riyals, or R$70 to 280, sold on the FIFA website. The stadium has a capacity for 45 thousand fans, with fans organized in dedicated sectors. Security has 1,200 agents to manage the flow.
Flamengo is seeking its second intercontinental title, while Cruz Azul is aiming for its first since 1971. The dry weather in December, with 24°C predicted, favors matches with an average of 2.3 goals at the venue. FIFA highlights the tournament as a bridge to the expanded Mundial in 2026.
