📹 Flamengo beat São Paulo with ex-player's stunner, stay top

In the return of the 2025 Brasileirão, Flamengo defeated São Paulo 2-0 at Maracanã this Saturday (12th), for the 13th round. 

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMM DE JOGO NO MARACAAAAA! No reencontro com a Nação no Maracanã, o Mengão vence o São Paulo com um golaço de Luiz Araújo e com gol do cria do Ninho, Wallace Yan e soma mais 3 pontos na tabela do @brasileirao!

VAAAAAAAAAAMOS, FLAMENGOOOOOOOOO!… pic.twitter.com/hqMIlef3uX

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) July 12, 2025

Overall, the match—which was a recent Copa do Brasil final—was completely dominated by the Rubro-Negro, who kept the Tricolor Paulista almost entirely in their own half during the first half.

However, due to a mix of poor finishing and an inspired night from goalkeeper Rafael, the score remained 0-0 in the first half. 

Léo Ortiz hit the post, forced Rafael to work hard on a rebound from a corner, and Gonzalo Plata missed a great chance in the box, shooting wide. 

But the highlight of the first half was a "Neuer-like" save by Rafael on Wesley's impeccable shot. 

NEUER?#BrasileiraoNoSportvpic.twitter.com/mPEGfZ0OOG

— sportv (@sportv) July 12, 2025

After halftime, the match took on a dramatic turn with the "hole" left in Ayrton Lucas's leg after a tough challenge with Enzo Díaz from São Paulo. 

But then, the "law of the ex" appeared in spectacular fashion. Luiz Araújo, who is "Made in Cotia," scored a stunning, unstoppable goal to open the scoring for Flamengo. 

QUE PINTURA!

Luiz Araújo colocou a lei do ex em ação e marcou esse GOLAÇO para o Flamengo contra o São Paulo! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Z3W0RssiZu

— ge (@geglobo) July 12, 2025

The number 7 is the second highest Flamengo player in goals and assists this year. In 33 matches, Luiz Araújo has scored nine goals and provided six assists. 

In stoppage time, Luiz Araújo shot low, Rafael parried, and Wallace Yan appeared unmarked in the six-yard box to extend the lead and seal the victory.

🚦 What's next

With the win, Flamengo reached 27 points and remains alone at the top of the Brasileirão. São Paulo, meanwhile, stays at 12 points in 15th place.

O Flamengo é LÍDER ISOLADO! 🔴⚫ pic.twitter.com/p2dpKlx8us

— De Sola (@desolaoficial) July 12, 2025

With one game in hand, as they were in the United States for the Club World Cup when a league round took place, the Rubro-Negro returns to the field on Wednesday (16th) to visit Santos at Vila Belmiro. 

The Tricolor from Morumbi, meanwhile, travels to the countryside of São Paulo to face RB Bragantino on the same day. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 Wagner Meier - 2025 Getty Images