CR Flamengo vs Esperance Sportive de Tunisie
What a night in Philadelphia. This time it was Flamengo’s turn to show why they’re one of the most historic and beloved teams in Brazilian soccer. Their heritage runs deep, and it’s reflected at every level of the club. Take Filipe Luis, for example. A former player who’s now returned as head coach. It’s a similar story for former goalkeeper Diego Alves, who’s now an ambassador for Flamengo—and was gracious enough to sign our camera after the match. In the city of brotherly love, this robust camaraderie extended into the stands as well. A sea of red and black engulfed the lower bowl, giving us a small glimpse into what it must be like to catch one of their games over at the Maracanã. It was a night we won’t soon forget, and Esperance de Tunis deserves all the praise too. Their turnout was unbelievable, and despite falling 2-0, their supporters seemed to sing louder in the face of adversity. So far, it’s been a treat to get to see what each club and their fan base has to offer at this unique tournament.
Photography by: Rodolfho Chona
Flamengo made a strong start to their FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ campaign, securing a 2-0 victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on Monday. Goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araújo highlighted a commanding performance by the Brazilian giants.
The 2022 Copa Libertadores champions wasted no time asserting dominance, controlling possession and dictating the tempo from the opening whistle. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Guillermo Varela’s pinpoint cross found Luiz Araújo, who set up de Arrascaeta for a clinical finish. The goal was a testament to Flamengo’s fluid attack and de Arrascaeta’s precision, which has made him one of Brazil's most consistent performers.
Espérance, four-time CAF Champions League winners, struggled to match Flamengo’s pace and creativity, managing just two attempts on goal throughout the match. Despite Flamengo's dominance, the Tunisian side showed flashes of resistance, with Youcef Belaïli providing their most promising moments in the second half.
Flamengo doubled their lead in the 70th minute, courtesy of Araújo and a perfectly timed assist from Jorginho. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder, making his Flamengo debut, threaded a pass through Espérance’s defense. Araújo broke the offside trap, cut inside, and curled a left-footed strike into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said with no chance.
“I think it was a good game,” Jorginho reflected. “We enjoyed the ball, enjoyed playing together, and the fans were amazing as I’ve seen before. I’m really happy about it.”
While Flamengo’s attack captured the headlines, their defensive solidity was equally impressive. Goalkeeper Agustín Rossi made a crucial save from Belaïli in the second half to preserve the clean sheet. The backline, marshaled by Filipe Luís, neutralized Espérance’s efforts to gain a foothold in the match.
With the win, Flamengo sit atop Group D alongside Chelsea, who defeated LAFC 2-0 in Atlanta earlier on Monday. The Brazilian side now turn their attention to a highly anticipated clash against Chelsea on Friday, a match that could determine the group winner.
Espérance, meanwhile, face a must-win game against LAFC in Nashville to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
“It was a game in which we were patient,” said de Arrascaeta. “They defended well with individual markers, but breaking through the lines made the difference. I’m happy we played at a great level.”
Filipe Luís, Flamengo’s head coach, praised his team’s adaptability. “We always want to play forward and fast, but sometimes they slow down a bit. The players choose the rhythm, and today they made the right choices.”
With their first win in the books, Flamengo demonstrated why they are considered one of the tournament’s favorites, combining flair, discipline, and clinical finishing. As the competition heats up, their clash with Chelsea promises to be a marquee encounter.
