Flamengo and Cruz Azul face each other this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2pm on Al Rayyan, at Catar, for Derby at Américas at FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The confrontation takes place at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and marks the first knockout stage between representatives of Conmebol and Concacaf in the competition. The winner advances to face the Egyptian Pyramids FC on December 13th, with a chance of a final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Flamengo arrives as current champion of Copa Libertadores 2025, after a 1-0 victory over Palmeiras in the November final, and also won Brasileirão in the same month. Já Cruz Azul, winner of Concacaf Champions Cup in June with a 5-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps, is looking for the global title after being eliminated in the semifinals of Liga MX by Tigres by penalties last week.
The match highlights the clash between coaches Filipe Luís, from Flamengo, and Nicolas Larcamon, from Cruz Azul, in a tournament that brings together the six continental champions annually.
- Flamengo: unbeaten in the last five games, with three wins and two draws.
- Cruz Azul: three consecutive draws before the penalty shootout defeat to Tigres.
Probable lineups and absences
Flamengo should enter the field with a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing ball possession and quick transitions. The red-and-black team has the return of key players after the national title, but faces important absences in defense and attack.
Agustín Rossi must defend the goal, with Guillermo Varela on the right flank. In the middle, Erick Pulgar and Jorginho anchor the marking, while Giorgian from Arrascaeta commands the offensive sector alongside Jorge Carrascal and Bruno Henrique. Bruno Henrique, with 13 goals this season, is a central piece in Filipe Luís’s scheme.
Pedro, top scorer with 15 goals, is out due to a muscle injury suffered in November. Matías Viña and Allan also miss the squad, forcing adjustments in the defense with Léo Pereira and Fabrício Bruno.
Cruz Azul adopts 3-4-1-2 to balance defense and counterattacks. Andrés Gudiño returns to goal after injury to Kevin Mier, who remains sidelined. Willer Ditta and Gonzalo Piovi form the line of three defenders, with Jorge Márquez and Carlos Rotondi on the wings.
Carlos Rodríguez, with a creation rate of 72% in recent games, plays as a playmaker behind Gabriel Fernández and Ángel Sepúlveda. Coach Larcamon bets on defensive solidity, but loses Jesús Orozco due to injury in the Liga MX semifinal and Andrés Montaño due to suspension.
Both teams carried out light training the day before, adapting to the Qatari time zone.
History of confrontations and curiosities
This is the first official meeting between Cruz Azul and
Flamengo is looking for its fourth interclub trophy since 1981, while Cruz Azul, with seven Concacaf titles, has never lifted a world cup. The match takes place in the same stadium that hosted games from Copa to Mundo in 2022, with capacity for 45 thousand fans, and tickets starting at 50 Qatari riyals (around R$70).
Curiosities include the fact that Filipe Luís, a former player of Atlético from Apostas indicate red-black favoritism, with odds of 1.53 for a Brazilian victory.
Recent team results
Flamengo comes packed after the Brasileirão title, with a positive sequence that includes winning the Libertadores. The last five games show offensive consistency, with 10 goals scored.
- 6/12/2025: Mirassol 3-3 Flamengo (Brasileirão)
- 3/12/2025: Flamengo 1-0 Ceará (Brasileirão)
- 11/29/2025: Palmeiras 0-1 Flamengo (Libertadores, final)
- 11/25/2025: Atlético-MG 1-1 Flamengo (Brasileirão)
- 11/22/2025: Flamengo 3-0 Bragantino (Brasileirão)
Cruz Azul, in turn, fluctuated in the final stretch of the Liga MX, with draws that cost him his place in the final. The Celestial defense conceded just three goals in the last five matches.
- 7/12/2025: Tigres 1-1 Cruz Azul (Liga MX, penalties for Tigres)
- 4/12/2025: Cruz Azul 1-1 Tigres (Liga MX)
- 1/12/2025: Chivas 0-3 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
- 11/28/2025: Chivas 0-0 Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
- 11/23/2025: Cruz Azul 2-1 Pumas (Liga MX)
These results reinforce the need for tactical adjustments for the global knockout stage.
Where to watch live and streaming options
The match between Cruz Azul and Flamengo will be broadcast live across multiple channels on Brasil and internationally, ensuring broad coverage for fans. No Brasil, Globo Esporte (GE TV) shows the game from 1:30 pm, with free transmission via open TV and streaming on Globoplay. SporTV and Prime Video also offer the match in high definition, with pay-per-view options for subscribers.
Internationally, FIFA+ broadcasts free of charge to more than 200 countries, including narration in Portuguese. No México, broadcast by Televisa and TUDN, starting at 8am local time. Plataformas such as YouTube (via CazéTV) and FanCode complement with alternative streams, ideal for mobile.
For those who prefer apps, Sofascore and Flashscore provide live scores with real-time statistics, such as ball possession and shots on goal. Ingressos remotes do not apply, but the stadium expects partial capacity due to location.
Weather conditions in Al Rayyan
The game takes place under cloudy skies in Al Rayyan, with temperatures around 24°C at 2pm local time, and relative humidity of 100%, which can affect the rhythm of teams accustomed to drier climates. Ventos of 14 km/h from the southeast blows into the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with gusts of up to 37 km/h, enhancing lateral crossings.
The forecast indicates no precipitation, with visibility of 10 km and stable atmospheric pressure at 1016 hPa. Para o Flamengo, coming from the humid heat of Rio, adaptation must be quick; the Cruz Azul, from Mexican altitudes, can feel the thinner air at Qatari sea level.
These favorable conditions promise a fluid show, without interruptions due to rain.
Featured players and refereeing
Carlos Rodríguez, from Cruz Azul, emerges as a decisive player in midfield, with 72% accuracy in creative passes and three goals in recent games. The Uruguayan José Rivero complements with precise tackles, while Ángel Sepúlveda, top scorer with seven goals in the Liga MX, puts pressure on the Flamengo defense.
For Flamengo, Giorgian of Arrascaeta leads with 23 goals this season, including decisive assists in Libertadores. Bruno Henrique, with speed and 13 goals, exploits counterattacks, and defender Willer Ditta, from Cruz Azul, faces a direct duel with a disarming rate of 68%.
The Swedish Glenn Nyberg referees the game, averaging 3.29 cards per game this season. Auxiliado by Mohammed Al-Hoaish (Saudi) and Mark Gavin (Australian), the VAR quartet includes Bastian Dankert (German). Nyberg, experienced in European knockout stages, tends to play games with few interruptions.
Predictions and odds for the confrontation
Analysts point to Flamengo as the favorite, with a 58% chance of winning 2-1, considering their recent form and history in global tournaments. Cruz Azul, however, bets on set pieces to surprise, with a 24% probability of a draw.
Odds vary: Flamengo victory at 1.53, draw at 4.00 and celestial triumph at 5.75. Ambas teams score in 76% of simulations, driven by prolific attacks – Flamengo with 78 goals in Brasileirão, Cruz Azul with 37 in Liga MX.
The red and black team needs efficiency to avoid extra time, while the Mexicans are looking for an upset with a solid defense.
