Flamengo and Sampaio Corrêa face each other this Saturday, at 9pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in the sixth round of Taça Guanabara of Campeonato Carioca 2026. The game is of crucial importance in the dispute to qualify for the quarter-finals. Erick Pulgar is listed and appears as a likely starter in the lineup, even though the official lineup has not yet been released. The broadcast takes place on Premiere, sportv and ge tv, with real-time coverage on ge.globo including exclusive videos.
Rubro-Negro is experiencing its worst start to the season in 24 years. Nos eight first games of 2026, the team records one victory, two draws and five defeats, with a success rate of 21%. Esse performance only negatively surpasses that of 2002. The team starts the round in fifth place in Grupo B, in the relegation risk zone, and depends on a victory combined with parallel results to advance.
- Mandatory victory against Sampaio Corrêa.
- Madureira needs to lose to Volta Redonda, with Flamengo reversing a three-goal deficit.
- Boavista should be defeated by Bangu, with two goal difference reversed.
- New Iguaçu can draw or lose to Portuguesa.
Sampaio Corrêa occupies a delicate position in Grupo A and needs to win to maintain its chances of a place in the quarterfinals. The visiting team arrives motivated to complicate the home team in full Maracanã.
Erick Pulgar related and role in volance
Erick Pulgar is among those listed and is part of the projections as a starter in defensive midfield. The Chilean has been a key player in providing balance and passing the ball. Sua presence reinforces the defensive structure at a decisive moment. The midfielder seeks to regain control of the game and help with the transition to attack.
Probable lineups for Flamengo
Filipe Luís promotes changes to overcome the cast’s irregular physical conditioning. Danilo returns after private question. The likely red-black lineup is Rossi; Varela, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz (Vitão) and Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar, Evertton Araújo and Arrascaeta (Carrascal); Paquetá (Silver), Samuel Lino (Cebolinha) and Pedro. Desfalques include Saúl (left ankle), Jorginho (left thigh) and Luiz Araújo (right thigh). Nenhum hanging.
Adjustments in the red and black midfield
Erick Pulgar acts as the first midfielder to protect the defense and initiate plays. Evertton Araújo gains space on the side for greater marking intensity. Arrascaeta and Paquetá are more advanced for creation. The options aim to balance between solid defense and effective attack in Maracanã.
Base maintained at Sampaio Corrêa
Antônio Carlos Roy repeats the recent formation with a change in the middle. Pablo is suspended. The likely lineup for Sampaio Corrêa is Zé Carlos; Lucas Carvalho, Daniel Nunes, Lucas Marreta and Guilherme; Martini, Alexandre Souza and Rodrigo Andrade; Octávio, Luan Gama and Matheus Iacovelli. Pendurados: Daniel Nunes, Luan Gama and Ewerton Potiguar.
Confrontation refereeing
Alex Gomes Stefano commands the main whistle. Assistentes: Júlio César Souza Gaudêncio and Fábio Ramos França. VAR: Paulo Renato Moreira from Silva Coelho.
Transmission and ways to follow
Fans access the game on multiple platforms. sportv broadcasts on closed TV. Premiere offers pay-per-view. ge tv shows on YouTube. ge.globo delivers minute-by-minute updates with video highlights and statistics.
The final round of the group stage of Carioca 2026 defines classifieds. The result changes positions in the groups and determines who advances or falls to the relegation quadrangle.
