After winning 3-1 at Maracanã, red-black entered the field with a huge advantage, held off Galo and managed to score at the end, with Gonzalo Plata
This Sunday (10), Flamengo won its fifth Brazilian Cup title by beating Atlético-MG, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, with a great goal from Gonzalo Plata. With the huge advantage achieved in the first game, after winning 3-1 at Maracanã, Mengão opted for a more conservative strategy at the Athletic stadium and showed defensive solidity to hold back the powerful attack formed by Hulk and Paulinho. The victory may have marked Gabigol’s farewell with the red-black shirt. The striker didn’t have a very productive year, but he shone in the first duel of the decision and won another cup.
In the very final, Gabigol did not shine like he did in Maracanã. In his place, young coach Filipe Luis appeared, in his ninth game in charge of Mengão. His strategy of seeking counterattacks proved to be as successful as the board’s decision to replace him with the popular Tite, who was fired after intense pressure from the fans. A teammate of the current team until the other day, Filipe led Fla in just four games in the Copa do Brasil, but showed competence in all of them.
Galo had volume in the first half, but the opportunities were not so clear. When he arrived, the Flamengo defense showed security, especially Argentine goalkeeper Rossi. Furthermore, the Rio team caused danger in some rare counterattacks and complained about referee Raphael Claus for having given yellow — and not red — to Lyanco for stopping Arrascaeta in a very promising escape by the visitors.
In the second half, Filipe Luis served Gabigol for defender Fabricio Bruno to enter. The team became even more solid and, as Galo desperately launched itself into the attack, it also became more dangerous in counterattacks. In one of these escapes, in the 37th minute of the second half, right after Atlético lost a goal in a hit and run inside the area, Gonzalo Plata took a shot and beat Everson with a dig, silencing the mantra of “I believe” that permeated the Atletico stands. during the game. The home fans didn’t take kindly to their rival’s celebration and started throwing objects on the pitch.
The confusion prolonged the end of the game, with nine minutes of extra time. There was time for Saraiva to be sent off to prevent Bruno Henrique from scoring Flamengo’s second goal. David Luiz almost scored from the kick, and Wesley also missed the chance to increase in the last dangerous move of the final. Angry, the Galo fans threw objects again after the final whistle, but had to swallow the red and black celebration in the middle of the MRV Arena.
