Flamengo beats Benfica in pre-season friendly with goals from Lino and Yan

Flamengo defeated Benfica 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Portugal last Sunday, with goals from Samuel Lino and Wallace Yan, while Vangelis Pavlidis pulled one back for the Portuguese side. The match wrapped up the Rubro-Negro’s preparation in Portugal before the restart of the Brasileirão Série A, where the team sits 2nd with 34 points from 17 games.

What happened in the friendly against Benfica

The game was tense from the start. On top of the technical staff clash on the sidelines, Argentine midfielder Julián Prestianni faced boos and insults from the Flamengo crowd every time he touched the ball. The situation escalated when Prestianni was handed a six-match ban by UEFA for "discriminatory conduct" after racist insults against Vinicius Jr. during a Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid.

The match also carried symbolic weight. Prestianni’s case led to a recent rule change in football: the International Football Association Board (IFAB) now mandates immediate red cards for players who cover their mouths when directing insults at opponents on the pitch. The rule took effect during the 2026 World Cup.

Why the friendly mattered for Flamengo

The friendly served as the final test before the Brasileirão restart, where Flamengo sits 2nd, seven points behind leaders Palmeiras, with 31 goals scored and 16 conceded (+15 goal difference). The team still has Jorge Carrascal and Lucas Paquetá sidelined, while preparing to face Botafogo at home on August 30, 2026.

The 2-1 win boosted confidence in the Rubro-Negro squad, which aims to maintain its strong run in the domestic league. Samuel Lino, scorer of the opener, was decisive again after solid performances in the Brasileirão, while Wallace Yan showed physical commitment playing on the left flank.

Flamengo’s next steps

With the friendly concluded, the focus is now fully on the Brasileirão. Flamengo remains hot on the heels of Palmeiras, the leader with a seven-point gap, and hosts Botafogo at home on August 30, 2026. The team still has Carrascal and Paquetá out, but the squad remains competitive in the title race.

The club ends pre-season on a high note, with 31 goals scored and just 16 conceded, plus a +15 goal difference. The Flamengo faithful expects the team to keep up the strong pace in the final stretch of the first half of the Brazilian championship.