RIO DE JANEIRO (Interstat) — Flamengo began its Serie A season with a 1-0 victory over Ceara on Wednesday at Estadio Jornalista Mário Filho. Midfielder Samuel Lino provided the decisive strike in the 37th minute, ensuring the home side claimed all three points. Ceara was held scoreless, dropping to 0-1 in league play, while Flamengo improved to 1-0. The outcome defied Interstat’s pre-game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw, but reflected its ELO rating system that gave Flamengo an 87.3 percent chance to win. In all competitions, both clubs now hold matching records, with Flamengo at 1-0 and Ceara at 0-1 following the midweek fixture.