Clássico dos Milhões (Derby of the Millions) is the
association football
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
derby
Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...
between
CR Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (; ), more commonly referred to as simply Flamengo, is a Brazilian multi sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, in the neighborhood of Gávea. It was founded and named after the Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo n ...
and
CR Vasco da Gama
Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama (; English: Vasco da Gama Club of Rowing), commonly referred to as Vasco da Gama or simply Vasco, is a sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although originally a rowing club and then a multi-sport club, Va ...
, both from the city of
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
, Brazil. Considered one of the most fiercely contested derbies in
Brazilian football
Football is the most popular sport in Brazil and a prominent part of the country's national identity. The Brazil national football team has won the FIFA World Cup five times, the most of any team, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Brazil an ...
, both in historic rivalry and in popularity. It has been named that way since its beginnings in the 1920s, as Flamengo and Vasco have the two largest fan bases in the
state of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro () is one of the 27 federative units of Brazil. It has the second largest economy of Brazil, with the largest being that of the state of São Paulo. The state, which has 8.2% of the Brazilian population, is responsible for 9.2% of ...
.
The derby is the fixture that has had an attendance of over 100,000 people the most times in the history of football, in addition to having the highest average attendance in the history of the
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (; English: "Brazilian Championship A Series"), commonly referred to as the Brasileirão (; English: "Big Brazilian" or "Great Brazilian"), the Série A or the Brazilian Série A (to distinguish it from the I ...
. In addition, it is among the seventeen oldest derbies of Brazilian football, as its first match happened in April 1923.
Poll estimations, though variable, attribute Flamengo and Vasco two of the five largest Brazilian fanbases, with Flamengo consistently at first and Vasco usually at fifth. At Rio de Janeiro state level, polls suggest that both clubs have the two largest declared supporter bases, with Flamengo also at first in that matter.
Flamengo and Vasco have clashed in decisive and important matches in the
Campeonato Carioca
The Campeonato Carioca (Carioca Championship), officially known as Campeonato Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro State Championship), also commonly known as the Cariocão, is the top-flight professional state football league in the Br ...
,
Campeonato Brasileiro and
Copa do Brasil
The Copa do Brasil () is a knockout football competition played by 92 teams, representing all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District. It is the Brazilian domestic cup and it is the Brazilian equivalent of the FA Cup, Taça de Portugal, ...
, even deciding the finals of the latter in the
2006 edition.
Its intense rivalry, though more stressed in football since 1923 when Vasco rose to first division, started already in the prior decades in rowing ''
regatte'', as both clubs were founded in the late 19th century (Vasco in 1898 and Flamengo in 1895) as rowing clubs. Both teams also compete often at national level in other sports such as
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...
,
swimming
Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water, such as saltwater or freshwater environments, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Swimmers achieve locomotion by coordinating limb and body movements to achieve hydrody ...
,
futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football played between two teams of five players each on a court smaller than a football pitch. Its rules are based on the Laws of the Game (association football), Laws of the Game of association football, and i ...
and
judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
.
History
Early days
Since the beginning of this derby, it capitalized on the already-existing rivalry in rowing. But it took a whole new scale as football opened to the masses.
The largest win in the history of the ''Clássico dos Milhões'' took place at the beginning of the 1930s. In the
1931 Campeonato Carioca, Vasco thrashed Flamengo 7–0, with Russinho scoring four goals.
The 1958 "Super Championship"
At that time, both clubs were already known for their popular appeal, but the derby still did not have a huge decisive match such as the finals of the ''Supercampeonato Carioca''. This was the nickname given to the
1958 Campeonato Carioca, which was considered unique as
Botafogo
Botafogo (local/standard alternative Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: ) is a beachfront neighborhood (''bairro'') in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a mostly upper middle class and small commerce community, and is located between the hills of M ...
, Flamengo and Vasco had to play a tie-breaking triangular twice. The final match was disputed by Flamengo and Vasco, the latter playing for a draw which was eventually obtained. After this title, Vasco did not won a single state championship for 12 year, a setback that promoted other rivalries in
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
football, such as
the one between Flamengo and Botafogo and the
Fla-Flu throughout the 1960s.
The 1972–2001 period
This period established the derby's reputation as the top one in Rio and eventually in Brazil, surpassing the traditional
Fla-Flu. In the span of 30 years, at least one of the teams managed to reach every final phase of the Rio state league. It also corresponds barely to the creation of the
Brazilian National Championship in
1971 *
The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses (Solar eclipse of February 25, 1971, February 25, Solar eclipse of July 22, 1971, July 22 and Solar eclipse of August 20, 1971, August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 1971 lunar eclip ...
, which displayed the popularity of both teams across the country, especially in
northern/
northeastern states, but also
southern states such as
Santa Catarina, where often they constitute the main fanbases.
Rio state level
Given the once-traditional structure of Rio state league divided in ''turno'' and ''returno'' occasionally complemented by a shorter third ''turno'' with the top overall teams, Vasco and Flamengo have clinched 50 out of the 68 turnos (25 each). In 4 occasions an extra play-off between both teams was needed to decide the turno. In 9 occasions the derby was the last-round decisive game for both teams.
The first ''turno'' of Rio de Janeiro state league, named "
Taça Guanabara
The Taça Guanabara ( English: Guanabara Cup) is an annual football tournament attached to the Campeonato Carioca, the state football league in the Rio de Janeiro state. It has been organized since 1965 by the Rio de Janeiro State Football Fe ...
" is given an extra importance, as it incorporates a previously traditional competition from only the inner-city clubs. Flamengo clinched it 13 times and Vasco 9 in this period.
They also participated together in a final phase (in direct titles decisions, triangular, quadrangular or semifinals) in 17 occasions out of 24. In 6 occasions, a final phase was not necessary as one team have won all ''turnos'', this occurred 3 times for Vasco in 1977, 1992 and 1998 and also to Flamengo in 1978, 1979 and 1996.
Flamengo ended up winning 11 titles in that period, while Vasco won 8. This in particular stems from Flamengo's three consecutive titles from 1999 to 2001.
* A: América
* B: Bangu
* F: Botafogo
* M: Flamengo
* N: Fluminense
* V: Vasco
National level
Though less frequent in the Campeonato Brasileiro, Flamengo and Vasco still have made decisive matches in final phases of the championship 3 times. Flamengo won in the
1983 edition quarterfinals. In
1992
1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General.
* January 6
** The Republ ...
and
1997
Events January
* January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States.
* January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis.
* January 1 ...
, both played in the same group of the second stage, in which the 1st place of the group would advance to the finals. Flamengo advanced in 1992 and Vasco eliminated their rivals in 1997, even winning the derby in the last round 4–1. Both teams, in the 1971–2001 period, were two of the most successful ones in the
Série A, as Flamengo had won 5 titles by then, and Vasco da Gama had won 4.
Roberto Dinamite vs. Zico
At a time, the rivalry was personified in both players, still today considered the two most important players of each clubs' history that played for about the same time lapse. Though
Roberto started playing earlier, both reached early stardom around 1974 and continued until the late 1980s. Both players crystallized their teams' style of play,
Zico embodying the more technical, refined Flamengo of the 1980s and Roberto the attacking and passionate style of Vasco at the time. His nickname, Dinamite, came after his powerful shots, given at the time he scored his first goal as a professional in 1972. The first big matches between the two started in the play-offs of
1976 Taça Guanabara, where Zico missed a penalty kick, awarding the ''turno'' title to Vasco. The same occurred a year later, giving Vasco the overall title. Later on, Flamengo had a clear edge as it swept all ''turnos'' in
1978
Events January
* January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213.
* January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
and
1979
Events
January
* January 1
** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...
(including the 1979 Special championship). In the early 1980s, Vasco saw Flamengo raise to its three national titles then but still consistently gave a run for the money of their arch-rivals, as in the 1980 finals. After being the runners-up three times in a row, from 1978 to
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...
, ending behind Flamengo and
Fluminense
Fluminense Football Club () is a Brazilian sports club based in the neighbourhood of Laranjeiras, in Rio de Janeiro, being the oldest football club in the state since its foundation in 1902. It competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, th ...
, Vasco eventually defeated the brilliant world-champion Flamengo side in
1982
Events
January
* January 1 – In Malaysia and Singapore, clocks are adjusted to the same time zone, UTC+8 (GMT+8.00).
* January 13 – Air Florida Flight 90 crashes shortly after takeoff into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. ...
to win the Carioca title again. Both players always displayed enormous respect for their opponents and somehow were constantly admired by the other side.
Tita and Bebeto
After the Zico and Roberto phase, both teams experienced a transition period, though still maintaining a high standard. In that period some important players change sides, raising some passionate and controversial discussions. First,
Tita that had started his career playing for Flamengo but later on, joined Vasco. He even scored the winning goal in the 1987 Carioca finals in Vasco's 1–0 victory.
Bebeto
José Roberto Gama de Oliveira (born 16 February 1964), known as Bebeto (), is a Brazilian former professional football player who played as a forward. He entered politics in the 2010 Brazilian general elections and was elected to the Legis ...
also followed the same path and offered Vasco brilliant participation in the 1989 Brazilian league title, before going to Europe and eventually winning the
1994 World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup was the 15th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national soccer teams. It was hosted by the United States and took place from June 17 to July 17, 1994, at nine venues across the country. The United States w ...
alongside
Romário
Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário (), is a Brazilian politician and former professional association football, footballer who is currently a Senator for Rio de Janeiro (state), Rio de Janeiro and the presi ...
.
1988
In this year, the two teams decided the title in direct play-offs for the third time in a row. Flamengo had clinched the
1986
The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles.
** Spain and Portugal en ...
title and Vasco the
1987 one. They ended up deciding the
1988 title, in which Vasco confirmed its status as favorite and won the last game 1–0 while, playing with the advantage in case of a draw. The winning goal only came with 1 minute left to play and was scored by
Cocada, who came on as a substitute a few minutes before. He ended up being sent off for a provocative celebration, but Vasco still won their 17th Carioca title.
Romário
Romário
Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário (), is a Brazilian politician and former professional association football, footballer who is currently a Senator for Rio de Janeiro (state), Rio de Janeiro and the presi ...
eschewed this rivalry, being ambiguous about his support, as he declared supporting neither club, but rather América, a smaller and formerly prestigious club of Rio. Romário started his career playing for Vasco and started as a professional in 1986, clinching the 1987 state title. After moving to
PSV Eindhoven
Philips Sport Vereniging (; ), abbreviated as PSV and internationally known as PSV Eindhoven (), is a Dutch sports club from Eindhoven, Netherlands. It is best known for its professional association football, football department, which has pla ...
, and later,
Barcelona
Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
, he decided to join Flamengo in 1995 when returning to Brazil, which outraged Vasco supporters. Despite this, he was still hired by Vasco in the late 1990s. Romário was somewhat forgiven as he won Vasco's fourth Brazilian title in 2000 and the
Mercosur Cup in 2001, contrasting with his time playing for Flamengo, in which he only won the Carioca title of
1996
1996 was designated as:
* International Year for the Eradication of Poverty
Events January
* January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...
. He was also the top striker of the Brazilian championship for Vasco twice, in 2000 and 2005, the latter at age 40.
2001
The derby had very balanced statistics at this time, with a slight advantage from Flamengo, specially in decisive matches. By the time of the late 1990s, Vasco was finally the major Carioca winner since 1923, when they started playing it, ahead of Flamengo and Fluminense. However, Flamengo made a comeback in that matter, as in early 2001 they won their third state championship in a row, being that all of them were won defeating Vasco in the finals. These wins of Flamengo happened during one of the greatest periods in Vasco's history, as they won two Brazilian titles and two South American titles. Due to these performances by Vasco, in each final between the two from
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
to
2001
The year's most prominent event was the September 11 attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror. The United States led a Participan ...
, Flamengo was not considered the most likely side to win. Their third title, in 2001, came in a specially dramatic way, as Vasco played the last game with a one-goal advantage and as
Petković scored a late winner for Flamengo, making it 3–1. For Flamengo fans, it was an answer from their club to humiliating defeats imposed by Vasco at the time, including two 5–1 wins.
2001–2012
Since 2001 when Flamengo achieved three consecutive Carioca titles and Vasco won the
Mercosur Cup, both teams have been plagued by financial problems and have simultaneously reached an unprecedented decline, struggling to avoid the spots of relegation to
Brazilian second division. However, Vasco and Flamengo still won since one state league title each, in
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
and
2004
2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO).
Events January
* January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
, respectively.
2006
The clubs decided the finals of the
2006 Copa do Brasil
The 2006 Copa do Brasil was the 18th staging of the Copa do Brasil.
The competition started on February 15, 2006 and concluded on July 26, 2006 with the second leg of the final, held at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, in which Fla ...
. Though it was less prestigious at the time as the Brazilian clubs that were playing the
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
did not compete in the
tournament
A tournament is a competition involving at least three competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:
# One or more competitions held at a single venue and concen ...
, this was considered the most important match in the history of the derby, as it was the first final between the two at a national level. Flamengo won the two legs and took the title, defeating Vasco 3–0 on aggregate. This was the second Cup title for the ''scarlet-blacks'', while Vasco still did not have won the tournament by then. Due to this title, Flamengo also managed to win its fifth final in a row against Vasco in recent years.
2008–2011
In
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
, Vasco dropped to the
Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série B (commonly referred to as the Brasileirão Série B, the Série B or the Brazilian Série B to distinguish it from the Italian and the Ecuadorian Serie B), and currently officially called Brasileirão Série B ...
, in a campaign in which they lost both matches against Flamengo. This was the first time one of the two were relegated in the Brazilian Championship. In the first match between two after that, Vasco beat Flamengo 2–0, however the ''Red-and-blacks'' were still able to clinch the
title
A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...
, the third in a row. In that same year Flamengo won the
Campeonato Brasileiro for the sixth time, after 17 years. Meanwhile, in the second tier, Vasco got promoted winning the
Série B title easily.
In the
2010 Brasileirão, Flamengo fought to avoid relegation until the end and finished 14th. The recently promoted Vasco side had a slightly better season, finishing 11th. Both derbies in the Campeonatio Brasileiro Serie A ended in draws, 0–0 and 1–1.
In the 2011 season, both clubs had better performances. The year started better for ''Fla'', as they beat Vasco in the Taça Rio final after a penalty shootout and won their
32nd Campeonato Carioca title, since they had already won the Taça Guanabara that season. After being undefeated state champions, Flamengo's defeatless run ended when they lost 2–1 to
Ceará
Ceará (, ) is one of the 26 states of Brazil, located in the Northeast Region, Brazil, northeastern part of the country, on the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast. It is the List of Brazilian states by population, eighth-largest Brazilian State by ...
in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals and were eliminated. After that, Flamengo suffered a setback, which pushed Flamengo out of the
Campeonato Brasileiro title run. Vasco however, had a better season overall, as they won their first
Copa do Brasil
The Copa do Brasil () is a knockout football competition played by 92 teams, representing all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District. It is the Brazilian domestic cup and it is the Brazilian equivalent of the FA Cup, Taça de Portugal, ...
title, defeating
Coritiba
Coritiba Foot Ball Club, commonly known as Coritiba and colloquially referred to as heCoxa, is a Brazilian football club from Curitiba, capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. Founded in 1909 by German immigrants, it is the olde ...
in the finals. The ''Giant'' also fought for the Série A title until the end, but finished in second place, 2 points behind
Corinthians
The First Epistle to the Corinthians () is one of the Pauline epistles, part of the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle and a co-author, Sosthenes, and is addressed to the Christian church in C ...
, after a 1–1 draw in the ''Clássico dos Milhões'' on the final round.
2013–present
Vasco's dark times and a new light for Flamengo
Flamengo started 2013 with a new president, Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, which was elected for a 3-year tenure, with the goal of paying up all the club's debts, which at the time were close in to 1 billion
Reais
The Brazilian real ( pl. '; sign: R$; code: BRL) is the official currency of Brazil. It is subdivided into 100 centavos. The Central Bank of Brazil is the central bank and the issuing authority. The real replaced the cruzeiro real in 1994.
...
. Despite having a mediocre campaign in the
2013 Campeonato Brasileiro, Flamengo managed to achieve their third
Copa do Brasil
The Copa do Brasil () is a knockout football competition played by 92 teams, representing all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District. It is the Brazilian domestic cup and it is the Brazilian equivalent of the FA Cup, Taça de Portugal, ...
title, beating the
Athletico Paranaense in the finals,
Cruzeiro in the Round of 16, and their other city rivals
Botafogo
Botafogo (local/standard alternative Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: ) is a beachfront neighborhood (''bairro'') in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a mostly upper middle class and small commerce community, and is located between the hills of M ...
in the quarter-finals, three teams that ended in the top 4 of the championship of that year.
In the other side of town, Vasco, after a good 2012 season, was relegated once again in
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
. All the
2011 Cup winning squad was out of the team, that ended up descending to Série B after a 5–1 defeat in the final round against Athletico Paranaense. Vasco managed to win two consecutive Carioca titles, in
2015
2015 was designated by the United Nations as:
* International Year of Light
* International Year of Soil __TOC__
Events
January
* January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...
and
2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
, however, the ''Giant'' was relegated one more time to Série B in
2015
2015 was designated by the United Nations as:
* International Year of Light
* International Year of Soil __TOC__
Events
January
* January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...
, just after being promoted in
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
.
In
2015
2015 was designated by the United Nations as:
* International Year of Light
* International Year of Soil __TOC__
Events
January
* January 1 – Lithuania officially adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the litas, and becomes ...
, Flamengo and Vasco clashed in the
Copa do Brasil
The Copa do Brasil () is a knockout football competition played by 92 teams, representing all 26 Brazilian states plus the Federal District. It is the Brazilian domestic cup and it is the Brazilian equivalent of the FA Cup, Taça de Portugal, ...
for the second time in the derby's history, this time in the Round of 16. Vasco won the first leg 1–0 and drew the second 1–1, with a late equaliser from
Rafael Silva. Despite being relegated that year, Vasco still managed to defeat their rivals in a knock-out stage of a national tournament for the first time.
Returning to the
first division in
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
, Vasco managed to make a good campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro and was qualified for the
2018 Copa Libertadores
The 2018 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores was the 59th edition of the CONMEBOL Libertadores (also referred to as the ''Copa Libertadores''), South America's premier club football tournament organized by CONMEBOL.
River Plate defeated Boca Juniors in ...
, after finishing in 7th place. However, the ''cruz-maltino'' made mediocre campaigns in the national league in the following years, and ended up being relegated for the fourth time in
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
. In
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
, Vasco did not managed to be promoted to Série A for the first time, as in previous participations in the Série B, the club achieved its promotion right away. In
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
, the ''Giant'' was able to return to the first division, finishing 4th in the
Série B.
In Flamengo's side, after the
2013 Copa do Brasil title, the club was consistently increasing its squad and performance in the following years. After paying a significant amount of their debts, the ''rubro-negros'' were having a surplus of money for the first time in decades, Flamengo started to bring in new stars for the team and after three years fighting for the top spots in the Brasileirão, they managed to win the
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
for second time in the club's history, in 2019. Flamengo also won the Campeonato Brasileiro two times, in
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
and
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
, the Copa do Brasil in
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
and
2024
The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...
, and the
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
once more in
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
, crowning a new golden era for the ''scarlet-blacks''.
As a result of this recent disparity between the two teams, Flamengo managed to set a record streak of 17 unbeaten matches in the derby from 2017 to 2021, and also increased significantly its edge in head to head results, as Vasco won only 2 out of the last 33 games between the two, since 2017.
Statistics
Head to head results
:
Sources
FlaestatísticaoGol
/small>
Record by stadium
Largest wins
* Vasco 7–0 Flamengo, April 26, 1931,
Campeonato Carioca
The Campeonato Carioca (Carioca Championship), officially known as Campeonato Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro State Championship), also commonly known as the Cariocão, is the top-flight professional state football league in the Br ...
* Vasco 1–6 Flamengo, June 2, 2024,
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (; English: "Brazilian Championship A Series"), commonly referred to as the Brasileirão (; English: "Big Brazilian" or "Great Brazilian"), the Série A or the Brazilian Série A (to distinguish it from the I ...
Longest undefeated runs
Most consecutive wins
Most consecutive draws
Doing the double in the Série A
Since 2003, when the
Campeonato Brasileiro adopted the
round-robin system, one of the teams has beaten their rivals in both matches 7 times.
Major finals between the clubs
*Finals won: Flamengo 9, Vasco 1.
List of other decisive games
Arguably the first decision ever between both teams ever started in 1944, more than twenty years after their accession to first division, when Flamengo played Vasco in last round to clinch its first ever three-in-a-row title. Between then and 1972, only one decisive game was played in 1958 in the uniquely named super-super-championship as twice Vasco, Flamengo and Botafogo had to play a tie-break triangular.
* 1944 – Last round decisive (Flamengo 1–0)
* 1958 – Last round decisive (Flamengo 3–1)
* 1958 – Final tie-break triangular (super) – 1st-round (Vasco 2–0)
* 1958 – Final tie-break triangular (super-super) – last-round decisive (Vasco 1–1)
* 1972 – Final triangular – 1st round (Flamengo 1–0)
* 1973 – Taça Guanabara (1st ''turno'') – last-round decisive – (Flamengo 1–0)
* 1973 – Semi-final play-off – decisive (Flamengo 0–0)
* 1974 – Final triangular – last-round decisive (Flamengo 0–0)
* 1975 – 3rd ''turno'' extra tie-break play-off (Vasco 1–0)
* 1976 – Taça Guanabara extra tie-break play-off (Vasco 1–1, 5–4 on p.s.)
* 1977 – 2nd ''turno'' extra tie-break play-off (Vasco 0–0, 5–4 on p.s.)
* 1978 – 2nd ''turno'' – last round decisive (Flamengo 1–0)
* 1979 – Final octagonal – decisive (Flamengo 3–2)
* 1982 – Taça Guanabara extra tie-break play-off (Flamengo 1–0)
* 1982 – Final triangular – last-round decisive (Vasco 1–0)
* 1983 – Campeonato Brasileiro – quarter-finals (Flamengo 2–1, 1–1)
* 1984 – Final triangular – 2nd round (Flamengo 1–0)
* 1986 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive (Vasco 2–0)
* 1987 – Final triangular – last-round decisive (Vasco 1–0)
* 1988 – 3rd ''turno'' quadrangular – last-round decisive (Vasco 3–1)
* 1989 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive to Flamengo only (Flamengo 3–1)
* 1989 – Taça Rio (2nd ''turno'') – last-round decisive to Flamengo only (Vasco 2–1)
* 1992 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive (Vasco 1–1)
* 1992 – Campeonato Brasileiro – semi-final quadrangular (Flamengo 1–1, 2–0)
* 1994 – Final quadrangular – (2 matches : Vasco 1–2, 1–1)
* 1996 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive (Flamengo 2–0)
* 1996 – Taça Rio – last-round decisive (Flamengo 0–0)
* 1997 – Taça Rio – decisive to Vasco only (Vasco 1–0 by WO)
* 1997 – Campeonato Brasileiro – semi-final quadrangular (Vasco 1–1, 4–1)
* 1998 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive (Vasco 2–0 by WO)
* 1999 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive (Flamengo 2–0)
* 1999 – Taça Rio – last-round decisive (Vasco 2–0)
* 2001 – Taça Guanabara – semi-final play-off (Flamengo 1–0)
* 2003 – Taça Guanabara – last-round decisive (Vasco 1–1)
* 2004 – Taça Guanabara – semifinals (Flamengo 2–0)
* 2004 – Taça Rio – last-round decisive to Vasco only (Vasco 2–1)
* 2007 – Taça Guanabara Semi-Final (Flamengo 3–1 penalty kicks after 1–1 in the normal time)
* 2008 – Taça Guanabara Semi-Final (Flamengo 2–1)
* 2010 – Taça Rio Semi-Final (Flamengo 2–1)
* 2011 – Final play-offs (Flamengo 3–1 penalty kicks after 0–0 in the normal time)
* 2012 – Taça Guanabara Semi-Final (Vasco 2–1)
* 2012 – Taça Rio Semi-Final (Vasco 3–2)
* 2015 – Semi-Final (2 matches: Vasco 0–0, 1–0)
* 2015 – Copa do Brasil – Quarterfinals (Vasco 1–0, 1–1)
* 2016 – Semi-Final (Vasco 2–0)
* 2017 – Taça Guanabara Semi-Final (Flamengo 1–0)
* 2019 – Taça Rio Final (Flamengo 3–1 penalty kicks after 1–1 in the normal time)
* 2022 – Semi-Final (2 matches: Flamengo 1–0, 1–0)
* 2023 – Semi-Final (2 matches: Flamengo 3–2, 3–1)
* 2025 – Semi-Final (2 matches: Flamengo 1–0, 2–1)
Other notable matches
* 1975 – 3rd ''turno'' – Vasco 3–2 Flamengo – This game arguably triggered Vasco's most enduring reputation, dubbed "o time da virada" (i.e., the comeback team), after its never-say-die attitude which led to many remounting scores (others may say never-win-easy instead). After this win (after trailing 0–2, a remounting that never occurred again between the two clubs), Vasco would win a series of derbies by remounting to clinch the ''turno'', and the press labeled "Vascão vira-vira" (meaning roughly ''Vascão'' bottom-up). Since then, its supporters incorporated this feature in their song "the team of the comebacks". An epic 4–3 away win over Palmeiras in
Mercosur Cup finals in 2001 after trailing 0–3, among others less notable in-between, recently sustained this reputation.
* 2000 – Taça Guanabara – Vasco 5–1 Flamengo – Nicknamed by Vasco supporters as "o chocolate da Páscoa" (i.e., Easter chocolate, after the Rio's football slang "chocolate" for "thrash" and as the game was played on Easter). Vasco clinched the turn title.
Highest attendances
*Flamengo 3–1 Vasco; 174,770 (April 4, 1976)
*Flamengo 0–0 Vasco; 165,358 (December 22, 1974)
*Flamengo 2–1 Vasco; 162,506 (October 17, 1954)
*Flamengo 2–1 Vasco; 161,989 (December 6, 1981)
*Flamengo 1–0 Vasco; 160,342 (May 6, 1973)
*Flamengo 2–1 Vasco; 155,098 (May 1, 1968)
*Flamengo 0–0 (
4–5 p) Vasco; 152,059 (September 28, 1977)
*Flamengo 1–1 Vasco; 141,045 (January 17, 1959)
*Flamengo 0–3 Vasco; 134,787 (April 24, 1977)
*Flamengo 1–1 (
4–5 p) Vasco; 133,444 (June 13, 1976)
*All matches were played at the Maracanã and were valid for the Campeonato Carioca
The Campeonato Carioca (Carioca Championship), officially known as Campeonato Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro State Championship), also commonly known as the Cariocão, is the top-flight professional state football league in the Br ...
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Honours
Titles comparison
(1) In 1940 the competition was interrupted with Flamengo and Fluminense tied in the lead, without the CBD making the title official, however, the clubs and newspapers at the time considered the result definitive and declared both Flamengo and Fluminense as the legitimate champions of the competition. The two clubs currently consider themselves champions of that competition and include it among their titles.
(2) "Other State and city trophies" include: ''Copa Rio'', ''Taça Guanabara Independente'', ''Torneio Extra'', ''Torneio Relâmpago'', ''Torneio Início'', ''Torneio Aberto, Campeonato da Capital, Torneio Gérson dos Santos Coelho, Taça da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Taça da Cidade de Cabo Frio'' and '' Campeonato Carioca Série B''.
Titles by decade
Related works
Books
* Flamengo x Vasco – O Clássico, ASSAF/MARTINS 1999, Editora Relume Dumará –
Videos
* Duels de légende /vol.2 Flamengo – Vasco da Gama, Rod Hay 2005, Warner Vision France
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Classico Dos Milhoes
Football derbies in Brazil
CR Flamengo
CR Vasco da Gama