Flamengo and Internacional renew their Libertadores rivalry in the Round of 16
Flamengo and Internacional meet this Wednesday, the 13th, in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, with kickoff scheduled for 21:30 Brasília time. This will be the clubs’ second clash in the competition’s history.
Memories from 2019 linger for Flamengo
The teams previously faced each other in the 2019 Libertadores quarterfinals, a series that lives on in Flamengo’s memories. The Rubro-Negro won 2-0 in the first leg at the Maracanã and held Inter to a 1-1 draw in the return at Beira-Rio, sealing their advance to the semifinals on their way to lifting the title that year.
Head-to-head history
Across all competitions, Flamengo and Internacional have met 90 times. Internacional holds 33 victories, there have been 27 draws, and Flamengo has won 30.
What to expect in the Octavos de Final
– The Wednesday match at the Maracanã starts a run of three decisive clashes between the teams in an eight-day window: the semifinal-style knockout continues with the Brasileiro clash on Sunday the 17th and ends with the Libertadores return leg on Wednesday the 20th.
– The game will be shown on TV Globo (free-to-air) and on Disney+ for those streaming the match.
Libertadores format at a glance
– The tournament includes a preliminary phase (first, second, and third rounds) in a knockout format, with ties played over two legs (home and away). If scores are level, tiebreakers apply: goal difference, then penalties.
– The Pré-Libertadores stage features several teams entering across rounds, with eight groups of four teams in the group phase. The top two in each group advance to the knockout rounds; third-placed teams enter the Copa Sudamericana playoffs.
– From the Round of 16 onward, the competition uses a home-and-away knockout format, culminating in a single-match final. If the final is tied at the end of regulation, extra time is played, and if still tied, the champion is decided by penalties.
What this means for fans and the teams
This matchup pits two Brazilian powerhouses against each other in a fixture that promises intensity, tactical chess, and high-pressure moments in front of a packed Maracanã. Flamengo will aim to use home-field advantage to set the pace, while Internacional will look to leverage its experience and resilience from past encounters to snatch a favorable result ahead of the return leg.
Summary
Flamengo’s memory of 2019 provides motivation, but this year’s edition brings fresh stakes as they open a high-stakes mini-series against a familiar rival. With a triple-threat schedule across eight days, both teams have an immediate opportunity to set the tone early in a dramatic Libertadores knockout phase.
Additional note for readers
This matchup is part of a broader storyline around Brazilian clubs contending for continental glory, highlighting the ongoing strength and depth of Brazilian football on the Libertadores stage.