Flamengo continues to be successful, facing PSG in the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final

Brazil’s Flamengo continues to top their incredible season. Fresh from domestic and continental glory – winning the Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores with a real win over Palmeiras – the club from Rio took their momentum to Qatar for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The tournament, created following the expansion of the Club World Cup, pits the defending continental champions from each confederation against each other in a format that mirrors the pre-expansion version of the competition. The goal is simple: achieve the annual world title through straight-up knockout football, where form and sharpness matter more than pedigree.

Flamengo: Late to the Party, but With Incredible Momentum

Flamengo’s participation in the Intercontinental Cup was only confirmed on November 29 after the 2025 Libertadores final, but concerns regarding preparations quickly proved unfounded. On December 10, they opened their campaign against CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul, representing Mexico’s Liga MX.

The match was evenly matched for long periods, but Flamengo’s experience and composure in key moments made the difference. Uruguayan playmaker Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored twice, canceling out Jorge Sánchez’s goal from Cruz Azul and lifting Flamengo to a 2–1 victory. At 31 years old, De Arrascaeta remains one of the most valuable and influential players in South American football, and has been a central figure at Flamengo since 2019.

Cruz Azul showed good quality but ultimately succumbed to tension and missed chances. The tournament’s unforgiving format meant there was no room for error – the Mexican side crashed straight out of the tournament, spending more time on the plane than on the pitch, much to the frustration of their traveling fans.

Flamengo’s Victory Over Pyramid Sets Up Match With PSG

Flamengo returned to action on December 13 for a semifinal match against CAF champions Pyramids FC of Egypt, a relatively new club backed by Saudi ownership. Although Pyramids made an impressive start to the competition with wins over Auckland City and AFC champions Al-Ahli, they struggled to unsettle a veteran Flamengo side.

The Brazilian team controlled the tempo without needing to overplay. Léo Pereira opened the scoring in the first half, and Danilo added an insurance goal in the 52nd minute to secure a 2–0 professional victory. Not the most dazzling Flamengo, but a mature performance that underlined their depth and tactical discipline.

This Flamengo squad is no stranger to elite opposition. Earlier this year, they beat Chelsea – eventual Club World Cup winners – before going out 4-2 to Bayern Munich in the last 16. Now, they have another chance to become European royalty with a crucial meeting against Paris Saint-Germain on December 17, a match that Flamengo will enter with credible confidence and a competitive chance.

PSG cannot take anything for granted

PSG have learned this year that the Brazilian champions are not to be taken lightly. At the Club World Cup in June, they suffered a shock defeat to Botafogo, a match that provided a clear tactical blueprint for Flamengo. Although PSG rallied to reach the final, they ultimately fell short again and lost to Chelsea.

Domestically, PSG remains dominant. They sit atop Ligue 1 with an 11–3–2 record, holding a slim two-point lead over second place. In the Champions League, they were 4–1–1, with the only loss coming against Bayern Munich in the group stage.

On paper, PSG will be the favorite. But recent history makes one thing clear: Brazil’s top clubs can compete with Europe’s best clubs and win. Flamengo came in confident, battle-tested and unencumbered by expectations — a combination that made this Intercontinental Cup final more than just a formality.

If momentum matters, PSG will face a team that believes this season they still have trophies left to win.

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