Clássico dos Milhões

Clássico dos Milhões (English: Derby of the Millions) is the association football derby between CR Flamengo and CR Vasco da Gama, both clubs from the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Considered one of the most fiercely contested derbies in Brazilian football, 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.

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. 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, usually with Flamengo at first and Vasco at fifth. At Rio de Janeiro state level, polls suggest that both clubs have the two largest declared supporter bases, with Flamengo at first in that matter.

Flamengo and Vasco have clashed in decisive and important matches in the Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa do Brasil, 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 1898 and Flamengo 1895) as rowing clubs. Both teams also compete often at national level in other sports such as basketball, swimming, futsal and judo.

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, 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 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, 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" 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 and 1997, 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 and 1979 (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, ending behind Flamengo and Fluminense, Vasco eventually defeated the brilliant world-champion Flamengo side in 1982 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 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 alongside Romário.

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 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 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, and later, Barcelona, 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. 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 very 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 to 2001, 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 and 2004, respectively.

2006
The clubs decided the finals of the 2006 Copa do Brasil. Though it was less prestigious at the time as the Brazilian clubs that were playing the Copa Libertadores did not compete in the tournament, 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, Vasco dropped to the Campeonato Brasileiro 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, 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 the Vultures, 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 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 title, defeating Coritiba in the finals. The Giant also fought for the Série A title until the end, but finished in second place, 2 points behind Corinthians, after a 1–1 draw in the Clássico dos Milhões on the final round.

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. Despite having a mediocre campaign in the 2013 Campeonato Brasileiro, Flamengo managed to achieve their third Copa do Brasil title, beating the Athletico Paranaense in the finals, Cruzeiro in the Round of 16, and their other city rivals Botafogo 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. 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 and 2016, however, the Giant was relegated one more time to Série B in 2015, just after being promoted in 2014.

In 2015, Flamengo and Vasco clashed in the Copa do Brasil 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, Vasco managed to make a good campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro and was qualified for the 2018 Copa Libertadores, after finishing in 7th place. However, the Admiral made mediocre campaigns in the national league in the following years, and ended up being relegated for the fourth time in 2020. In 2021, 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 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 Vultures 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 for second time in the club's history, in 2019. Flamengo also won the Campeonato Brasileiro two times, in 2019 and 2020, the Copa do Brasil in 2022, and the Copa Libertadores once more in 2022, 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 2016 to 2021, increasing its edge in head to head results.

Head to head results

 * Sources: Flaestatística oGol

Largest wins

 * Vasco 7–0 Flamengo, April 26, 1931, Campeonato Carioca
 * Vasco 1–6 Flamengo, June 2, 2024, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

Longest undefeated runs

 * Vasco: 23 matches, from May 13, 1945 to March 25, 1951
 * Flamengo: 17 matches, from February 25, 2017 to February 4, 2021

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.

List of 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)
 * 1981 – Final play-offs (3 matches: Flamengo 0–2, 0–1 and 2–1)
 * 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)
 * 1986 – Final play-offs (3 matches: Flamengo 0–0, 0–0, 2–0)
 * 1987 – Final triangular – last-round decisive (Vasco 1–0)
 * 1988 – 3rd turno quadrangular – last-round decisive (Vasco 3–1)
 * 1988 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Vasco 2–1, 1–0)
 * 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)
 * 1999 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Flamengo 1–1, 1–0)
 * 2000 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Flamengo 3–0, 2–1)
 * 2001 – Taça Guanabara – semi-final play-off (Flamengo 1–0)
 * 2001 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Flamengo 1–2, 3–1)
 * 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)
 * 2004 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Flamengo 2–1, 3–1)
 * 2006 – Copa do Brasil – Finals (Flamengo 2–0, 1–0)
 * 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)
 * 2014 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Flamengo 1–1, 1–1)
 * 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)
 * 2019 – Final play-offs (2 matches: Flamengo 2–0, 2–0)
 * 2022 – Semi-Final (2 matches: Flamengo 1–0, 1–0)
 * 2023 – Semi-Final (2 matches: Flamengo 3–2, 3–1)

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
*All matches were played at the Maracanã and were valid for the Campeonato Carioca.
 * Flamengo 3–1 Vasco; 174,770 (April 4, 1976)
 * Flamengo 0–0 Vasco; 165,358 (December 22, 1974)
 * Flamengo 2–1 Vasco; 161,989 (December 6, 1981)
 * Flamengo 0–0 Vasco; 160,342 (August 19, 1973)
 * Flamengo 2–1 Vasco; 155,098 (May 1, 1968)
 * Flamengo 0–0 Vasco; 152,059 (September 28, 1977)
 * Flamengo 0–3 Vasco; 134,787 (April 24, 1977)
 * Flamengo 1–1 Vasco; 133,444 (June 13, 1976)
 * Flamengo 1–1 Vasco; 131,256 (June 8, 1969)
 * Flamengo 1–1 Vasco; 130,901 (January 17, 1959)

Honours
(1) In 1940 the competition was interrupted with Flamengo and Fluminense in the lead, without the CBD making the title official, however, the clubs and newspapers at the time considered the result definitive and declared the Flamengo and Fluminense as the legitimate champions of the competition. The Club currently considers itself champion of the Competition and includes this title among its achievements.

(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.

Books

 * Flamengo x Vasco – O Clássico, ASSAF/MARTINS 1999, Editora Relume Dumará – ISBN 85-7316-184-1

Videos

 * Duels de légende /vol.2 Flamengo – Vasco da Gama, Rod Hay 2005, Warner Vision France