Cruz Azul 1-2 Flamengo Highlights, FIFA Intercontinental Cup: De Arrascaeta Brace Seals Mengao Win – As It Happened

Hello, football fans! This is the start of our live blog for the Derby of the Americas match between the Mexican giants Cruz Azul and Brazilian side Flamengo. With both sides chasing continental glory, we have a high-stakes clash in Doha tonight. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.

• Fixture: Cruz Azul vs Flamengo, FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025

• Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar

• Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

• Time: 10:30 PM IST

• Live Streaming: FIFA+

As far as records exit, tonight's fixture is the first time that Cruz Azul and Flamengo are playing against each other in a competitive fixture.

The winner of tonight's fixture will move on to the FIFA Challenger Cup, where they will take on Egyptian side Pyramids FC, who defeated Auckland City and Al Ahli in the Africa/Asia/Pacific Cup. The winner of that tie will then qualify for the Intercontinental Cup Final, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain on December 17.

Starting XI: Andres Gudino; Willer Ditta, Erik Lira, Gonzalo Piovi; Jorge Sanchez, Igancio Rivero (c), Jeremy Marquez, Carlos Rodriguez; Jose Paradela, Gabriel Fernandez, Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi.

Bench: Bruno Salgado (gk), Emmanuel Ochoa (gk), Jorge Rodarte, Omar Campos, Amaury Garcia, Amaury Morales, Diego Valdez, Emmanuel Sanchez, Jaziel Mendoza, Lorenzo Faravelli, Luka Romero, Angel Sepulveda, Mateo Levy, Mateusz Bogusz.

Starting XI: Agustin Rossi; Guillermo Varela, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho; Jorge Carrascal, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Samuel Dias Lino; Bruno Henrique (c).

Bench: Dyogo (gk), Matheus Cunha (gk), Ayrton Lucas, Danilo, Emerson Royal, Evertton Araujo, Nicolas de la Cruz, Saul Niguez, Everton, Gonzalo Plata, Juninho, Luiz Araujo, Michael, Wallace Yan.

Referee Glenn Nyberg of Sweden blows his whistle, and Flamengo get tonight's Derby of the Americas underway in Qatar. Stay tuned for live updates from the game!

In the opening stages of the match, both sides are still sort of feeling each other out. Cruz Azul have had more of the ball, while Flamengo are content sitting in their own half. A good run by Rotondi is brought to a halt by Pulgar. From the resulting free-kick, Rotondi's ball into the box is cleared by the defence.

What a mistake at the back from Cruz Azul, and de Arrascaeta capitalises with a goal!! The goalkeeper rolled it to Piovi, who attempted to play out from the back. However, his pass was cut out by de Arrascaeta, who went past Gudino Portillo before rolling it into an empty net.

Bruno Henrique makes a terrififc run from the right flank, holding off the pressure from Lira before having a shot at goal. However, it's blocked and goes behind for the first corner of the night.

It has been a pretty physical game so far, but Jorginho's clash with Paradela earns the former Arsenal and Chelsea man the first yellow card of the match. It late and potentially dangerous, and Jorginho has no complaints about the decision.

The second yellow card of the night goes to Cruz Azul's Ditta. A clash with Bruno Henrique resulted in the Flamengo forward throwing himself on the ground, and the referee awarded a free-kick. The Colombian centre-back did not like the decision and complained a bit too much, earning the booking.

A brilliant lobbed pass from Rotondi is headed past Rossi by Fernandes. However, the Mexican side can't even begin their celebrations as the linesman's flag goes up immediately. VAR takes a look, but Rotondi was well offside when the ball was played to him.

What an incredible goal from Sanchez, and Cruz Azul level the scores right before the break!! Flamengo falied to clear, and Rotondi won it back. Under pressure from Carrascal, the ball bounced to Sanchez. Out of the blue, the full-back unleashed an absolute worldie from outside the box that flew past Rossi. This is Sanchez's ninth goal in his entire professional career.

What an end to the first half that was!! Both sides have done their best when going forward, but not so much in their defensive duties. A mistake at the back handed Flamengo an opener, and their defence was shambolic before Sanchez's bullet goal. A big, big second half awaits.

It wasn't the best of performances from Flamengo in the first half, and Felipe Luis looks towards his bench to bring on Gonzalo Plata in place of Samuel Lino. Cruz Azul get the second half underway, and they are unchanged at the break.

Cruz Azul have continued their attackign dominance in the second half. A corner floated in from the latest is headed powerfully by Rotondi, but it was straight at Rossi. Flamengo counter immediately, and Bruno is teed up with a nice through pass. The finish, again, is straight at the goalkeeper.

Cruz Azul are really giivng it their all in search of the lead. A brilliant long ball from the midfield almost found the outstretched foot of Fernandes, but Rossi collects. Flamengo come forward at the other end, with Bruno twisting and turning, but the ball is stolen from his feet and gathered by the goalkeeper.

With the minutes ticking away, Felipe Luis takes off his second starting winger, Carrascal. Taking his place is Everton. The Brazilian side have enjoyed more of the ball and have more number of shots, but Cruz Azul look more likely to get the next goal at the moment.

Seconds after Plata's brilliant whipped shot flew just over the bar, Flamengo take the lead through the de Arrascaeta!! A brilliant first-time ball from Everton found the run of de Arrascaeta, who tried to cut it back for Bruno, which is blocked. The Uruguayan tried once more, and this time, it curled inside the goal. Rotondi cleared the ball away, but it had crossed the line, and the goal stands!!

Tonight's hero for Flamengo, de Arrascaeta, sees his night come to an end as he is brought off for Luiz Araujo. Jorginho is also replaced by Nicolas de la Cruz.

Cruz Azul make a double change of their own. Ignacio Rivero and Jeremy Marquez ome off, and taking their places are Omar Campos and Lorenzo Faravelli.

A brilliant through ball allows Luiz Araujo to break through. He twists and turns past Piovi before having a shot that brings out a great save from Gudino. The ball is kept alive by Everton and sent behind for a corner.

The resulting corner is headed goalwards by Ortiz. Gudinho was completely beaten, but Sanchez makes a stunning goal-line save.

The referee blows his whistle, and Flamengo win the Derby of the Americas. It was a frantic end to the match, with chances for both sides, but neither could Cruz Azul grab the equaliser nor could Flamengo bury the contest. At the end, Felipe Luis' side march on towards yet another trophy in this fairytale season.