The marquee FIFA Intercontinental Cup semifinal, dubbed the Derby of the Americas 2025, between Cruz Azul vs Flamengo kicks off on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET (5:00 PM local time).
Hosted at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, this clash pits CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul against Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo, with the victor advancing to the final against UEFA Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain on 17 December.
Cruz Azul arrives as reigning CONCACAF champions after a dominant 5-0 final win, finishing third in Liga MX Apertura with stars like Ángel Sepúlveda leading the charge.
No major injuries reported, though coach Nicolás Larcamón will rotate to manage fatigue from travel, focusing on midfield solidity in their 3-4-2-1 setup. Recent roster tweaks emphasize youth integration for this high-stakes neutral-site test.
Flamengo, fresh off their Copa Libertadores triumph with a match-winning goal from Danilo in the final, boasts a star-studded squad under Filipe Luís. Key updates include full fitness for Pedro and Giorgian de Arrascaeta, with no significant absences, allowing a potent 4-2-3-1 that has scored 28 goals in their last 10 matches across competitions.
Cruz Azul vs Flamengo – Derby of the Americas 2025 Match time, Predictions, Lineups & More
Table of Contents
Match Preview
This Derby of the Americas at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium promises fireworks as Mexico’s La Máquina faces Brazil’s Mengão in a battle for Intercontinental glory.
Cruz Azul’s defensive resilience and counter-threats will challenge Flamengo’s fluid attack, but the Brazilians’ technical edge and depth could dominate on the artificial surface, setting up a tactical chess match with goals likely from set pieces.
Team News and Analysis
Cruz Azul is at full strength, with Larcamón sticking to a back-three for compactness, relying on wingbacks for width. Their recent form shows just one goal conceded in three games, but Flamengo’s pace will test them.
Flamengo enjoys a healthy roster, with Luís prioritizing possession to break down Cruz Azul’s low block. Their unbeaten run in eight away games across tournaments gives them confidence, though Qatar’s conditions may require early adjustments.
Last five matches
- Cruz Azul: W1 D3 L1
- Flamengo: W3 D2 L0
Head-to-Head Record
Cruz Azul and Flamengo meet for the first time in competitive play, with no prior encounters. Flamengo’s experience in global finals provides a psychological boost in this inaugural Derby of the Americas.
| Date | Competition | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | No previous meetings | N/A |
Derby of the Americas 2025 Predicted XI Lineups
Cruz Azul Predicted XI (3-4-2-1):
- Gudino(GK); Piovi, Lira, Ditta; Rotondi, Faravelli, Marquez, Rivero; Rodriguez, Paradela; Fernandez
Larcamón’s system emphasizes midfield control with Rodríguez dictating tempo and Sepúlveda linking play.
Flamengo Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
- Rossi(GK); Sandro, Pereira, Danilo, Varela; Jorginho, Pulgar; Lino, Arrascaeta, Carrascal; Henrique
Luís opts for attacking width with Arrascaeta’s creativity feeding Barbosa upfront.
Key Players
For Cruz Azul, Ángel Sepúlveda (9 goals in CONCACAF Champions Cup) is the talisman, with Carlos Rodríguez providing midfield vision and Willer Ditta anchoring the defense.
Flamengo’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta (8 goals, 12 assists this season) pulls strings, while Pedro’s finishing (15 goals) and Danilo’s clutch defending make them pivotal.
Match Prediction – Derby of the Americas 2025
Flamengo edges a 2-1 win, capitalizing on their superior squad depth and attacking flair, with a 60% victory probability. Expect over 2.5 goals in a tense, end-to-end affair that could go to extra time if Cruz Azul frustrates early.
Where to Watch Derby of the Americas 2025
In the USA, tune into ESPN for live coverage starting at 12:00 PM ET, with streaming on ESPN+ and FIFA+. beIN SPORTS also broadcasts the match, and highlights will be available on MLSsoccer.com or the FIFA YouTube channel.
