Worth a goal! Rossi’s save and Léo Pereira’s header put Flamengo ahead of Pyramids in the FIFA Club World Cup

Flamengo leads Pyramids 1-0 at the end of the first half of the Copa Intercontinental semifinal, played at Estádio Ahmad bin Ali, at Al Rayyan, at Catar. The goal came in the 23rd minute, scored by Léo Pereira with a header after a free kick by Arrascaeta, in a move that exploited red-black aerial play.

The match is still underway, with the second half about to start, and the Brazilian team maintains control of ball possession, while the Egyptian opponent seeks to react with quick counterattacks. The match is worth a place in the final against Paris Saint-Germain and the Copa Challenger title.

The duel started off balanced, with Flamengo proposing more offensive actions from the opening minutes. Nos first moves, Everton Cebolinha created opportunities on the left side, demanding saves from the opposing goalkeeper.

• At 4 minutes: Cebolinha takes a volley inside the area, but the ball explodes in the defense.
• At 23 minutes: Gol from Flamengo with Léo Pereira heading a free kick taken by Arrascaeta.
• At 45 minutes: Rossi makes a great save on a shot from Mayele, avoiding a draw.
• At 42 minutes: Pyramids arrives with danger on a counterattack, but the shot goes wide.
• At 29 minutes: Arrascaeta dribbles past markers and shoots across, passing close.

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Main plays of the first half

The first half registered red and black dominance in ball possession, with Flamengo creating more clear chances. Pyramids bet on recovery and counterattack attempts, but ran into the opponent’s defensive organization.

In the 23rd minute, Arrascaeta took a free kick with precision in the area, and Léo Pereira rose higher than the marker to head into the corner. The defender celebrated the goal, which put Flamengo ahead at a key moment in the opening stage.

In extra time, in the 45th minute, Pyramids almost equalized with a quick play. Mayele received a deep pass and finished strongly, but Rossi spread it safely, guaranteeing the partial lead.

Other moments included shots from Cebolinha and Arrascaeta, as well as dangerous retreats that demanded attention from the red-and-black goalkeeper. The referee added two minutes of stoppage time before half-time.

Red-black dominance in the initial stage

Flamengo entered the field with a lineup that prioritized speed on the sides, including Plata and Cebolinha on the wings. The strategy had an effect, with the team controlling the pace and exchanging passes in the opposing field.

Pyramids, in turn, adopted a conservative stance, postponing the marking and waiting for errors to counterattack. Mayele represented the main threat, winning duels at speed against the red-black defense.

At 38 minutes, the game temporarily cooled down, with unhurried passing exchanges by Flamengo. The Filipe Luís team attracted the Egyptian marking, looking for spaces for infiltration.

Roberto Firmino watched the confrontation from the stands, a presence noticed by the red and black fans. The striker, formerly of Liverpool, scored a decisive goal against Flamengo in the last final.

Reactions to Léo Pereira’s goal

Léo Pereira is going through a great phase in 2025, with important goals in decisive competitions. The header in the 23rd minute came from specific training in aerial plays, a strong area of ​​the red and black squad.

Arrascaeta, the free kick taker, demonstrated his usual precision with set pieces. The Uruguayan has accumulated assists and goals this season, being a central player in midfield.

On the bench, Pedro waited for the opportunity to enter the second half. The center forward, recovered from injury, represents an option to change the outlook of the match.

The red and black fans present at the stadium sang in support, even with a moderate crowd. Faixas and flags were present in the sector aimed at Brazilians.

Solid defense led by Rossi

Agustín Rossi stood out with crucial interventions, especially in defense in the 45th minute against Mayele. The Argentine goalkeeper came out quickly and avoided a draw in a one-on-one shot.

The defensive line, with Danilo and Léo Pereira, cut off Egyptian advances in moments of pressure. Varela and Alex Sandro contributed to the climbs on the sides.

Pyramids tried to exploit setbacks, like at 21 minutes, when Varela almost got complicated. Rossi removed the danger with a precise kick.

The refereeing, led by Abdulrahman Al Jassim, from Catar, controlled the game with minimal cards in the stage. Faltas tactics interrupted rhythms in transitions.

Tournament match context

The Copa Intercontinental brings together continental champions in a knockout format, with the Flamengo representing the América of the Sul after the title of the Libertadores. The victory over Cruz Azul in the previous phase guaranteed advancement to the semifinals.

Pyramids won Liga from Campeões from África and eliminated opponents in the preliminary stages. The Egyptian team arrives rested, with their last match a few days ago.

The winner lifts the cup from Copa Challenger and faces Paris Saint-Germain in the final, scheduled for December 17th. Fifa delivers trophies at all stages to enhance the tournament.

Transmissions occur on open and paid channels, with real-time monitoring on specialized portals. The stadium, used in the Copa of the Mundo of 2022, offers a modern structure with refrigeration.

Individual highlights in the first half

Arrascaeta led offensive actions with dribbling and precise passes. Aos 29 minutes, the midfielder invaded the area after clearing three markers, but shot out.

Cebolinha threatened from the left, with a volley in the 4th minute and individual plays. Plata, on the other hand, dribbled and suffered promising fouls.

In Pyramids, Mayele led attacks, demanding constant attention from Rossi and defenders. Ziko and Zalaka tried to infiltrate the middle.

Jorginho and Pulgar dominated the midfield, recovering balls and distributing play. Carrascal missed initial passes, but adjusted throughout the stage.

Panorama until halftime

Flamengo accumulated more possession of the ball, around 70% in moments of the stage. Finalizações red and black surpassed the Egyptians in precision.

Pyramids reacted in the 42nd minute with a quick counterattack, but Ziko shot wide. Atef threw long balls looking for Mayele.

Two minutes added time allowed the Egyptians the final chance, saved by Rossi. The half-time whistle came soon after.

The second half promises tactical adjustments, with the possible entry of reserves to maintain intensity. Flamengo seeks to expand to manage the result.

Preparation of teams for the duel

Flamengo reached Catar after victory over Cruz Azul, with little recovery time. Filipe Luís rotated pieces to preserve key players.

Pedro trained with the group and was involved for occasional minutes. The initial absence of the center forward opened space for more mobile formations.

Pyramids competed in stages in September, beating Al-Ahli and Auckland City. The physical advantage is highlighted as a factor by the opposing coach.

Recent investments have raised the level of the Egyptian club, founded in 2008. Jogadores and Ewerton, Brazilian, are part of the squad.

Refereeing and match details

Abdulrahman Al Jassim blows the whistle, assisted by compatriots on the lines and VAR. The Qatari team frequently plays international matches.

The Ahmad bin Ali stadium has a capacity for 40 thousand fans and an air conditioning system. Temperaturas places are around 23°C at the time.

The confrontation marks the first historic meeting between Flamengo and Pyramids. Retrospecto red-black against Africans includes past victories.

Fifa revamped the tournament to bridge the new Mundial from expanded Clubes. Medalhas and trophies are awarded in each stage.

Selected minute by minute

Here are the main moments of the first half in bullet points:

• 00′ – Bola rolls into the Ahmad bin Ali, with Flamengo exchanging initial passes.
• 04′ – Cebolinha finishes a volley into the area, saved.
• 23′ – Gol! Léo Pereira heads a free kick from Arrascaeta.
• 29′ – Arrascaeta dribbles and shoots close.
• 42′ – Pyramids counterattacks, but the shot goes wide.
• 45′ – Defesaça of Rossi in completion of Mayele.
• 47′ – Intervalo with Flamengo 1×0.